Owensboro will ignite in the Christmas spirit on Saturday, lighting the Christmas tree at Smothers Park at 5 p.m. and adding a new touch of “dancing lights” along the riverfront to the Christmas tradition.
The tree lighting will start once the sun sets, and there will be an appearance from the Kentucky Youth Chorale as they perform some classic Christmas carols. Mayor Tom Watson will be speaking.
Watson said he is thankful that this holiday season, the city is able to participate in events like the 12 Days of Christmas each weekend, and he is excited to jump into the holiday season.
“It’s important that people have the opportunity to enjoy themselves after being cooped up for 18 to 24 months,” Watson said. “The more they get out the more they feel like things are getting back to normal — as normal as it can be.”
Watson said the ability to showcase downtown during the winter season provides more opportunities for the community and the tristate area to enjoy themselves and the riverfront area.
Added to the Christmas tree lighting this year, Director of Public Events Tim Ross said they will be showcasing the Dancing Lights — a choreographed light show that will be lighting up the center part of Smothers Park around the tree.
The light show will “dance” to different classic Christmas songs every 15 minutes.
“We’re just enhancing what we’ve got there along the river compared to just having the tree like we’ve had traditionally in the past,” Ross said.
Other events Saturday include the Holiday Stroll where businesses downtown will be open for holiday specials, along with the Holiday Market at the Convention Center where there will be several small businesses inside the center.
For those that love the arts, Owensboro Dance Theater is putting on “The German American Bank Nutcracker” at the RiverPark Center at 7 p.m., and the Lanham Brothers are hosting their Christmas Jamboree down the street at the Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame & Museum.
For those that want to get an early morning run, Care Net is hosting the annual Reindeer Run 5K. Even those who don’t run in the race can visit Santa, enjoy hot chocolate and win door prizes.
“Regardless of what your interests are, your hobbies are, there are things for almost anybody downtown,” Ross said.
