New Concord is an idyllic small town in rural Ohio, and its annual lighting of the village Christmas tree and Christmas parade capture the spirit of this place like no other event all year.
Sponsored by the New Concord Area Board of Trade, the 2011 the parade would normally occur on the Monday after Thanksgiving, but this year because of weather the event has been rescheduled for Dec. 5. Everything begins that night at 6 p.m. with songs and candlelight around the large spruce tree on the village green next to the New Concord Branch Library at 77 W. Main St. After the tree is lit up, the Christmas parade, featuring community groups, churches and bands, will begin at 6:30 p.m. at the intersection of State Route 83 and proceed east on Main Street through downtown.
The library will be serving hot chocolate during the parade, and afterwards, Santa will be hanging out in Village Park handing out treats.