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TORONTO — Three Christmas events are coming to the Gem City during the next two weeks, thanks to the efforts of volunteers in the Focus in Toronto group.
The first is the Toronto Christmas parade, which will begin at 5:30 p.m. Dec. 2 at North Fourth and Myers streets and proceed south on North Fourth to Main.
The Toronto High School Marching Band and Santa Claus are among the many groups and floats that are expected to appear, and Santa will be on hand to meet with children afterward at the Gazebo Commons at North Third and Market streets.
Parents and other adults accompanying the children are invited to take photos of them with Santa.
Cash prizes will be awarded to the top three floats and the top three dance or other performance groups appearing in the parade.
Julie Ault, vice president of Focus in Toronto, said groups interested in taking part can sign up through the Focus in Toronto Facebook page up to Friday.
The sleigh carrying Santa in the procession also will play a part in another event being held by Focus in Toronto.
The winner of the group’s Toronto Lights, Winter Nights Christmas light decorating contest will be treated to a ride aboard the sleigh to view homes and businesses decorated for the holiday.
The winner also will receive up to $100 for dinner at one of the city’s restaurants.
Residents interested in participating in the contest should register, through the group’s Facebook page, no later than Dec. 9 because judging will be done on Dec. 10.
Information about the events also can be obtained by calling (740) 632-2477.
Under the leadership of Brenda Cich, the group also is preparing for its eighth-annual Toronto Christmas Art Festival, which will be held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Dec. 9 at the Karaffa Recreation Center at 1307 Dennis Way.
Ault said more than 40 area vendors selling an assortment of quality hand-made items will be on hand during the event, which will offer an opportunity to purchase some fresh Christmas decorations or unique gifts.
The Toronto High School Band Parents will be selling food, and there will be drawings for various prizes each hour.
Ault noted that attendees who bring a canned good or other nonperishable food item for the Helping Hands Food Pantry or a toy for Crossroads Christian Church’s Toys for Toronto campaign will be entered into a drawing for each item they bring.
There will be a 50-50 drawing.
The volunteer group also is behind the Toronto Art Festival held each Labor Day weekend and supports various local causes.
The last few months have been very busy for its members, who also organized a Halloween parade and trunk-or-treat event for the city.