MOUNT VERNON — Combining this year’s Christmas Walk with the annual Christmas parade seemed to be a big success. Along with a new parade route there were lots of new features along with some traditional favorites at the walk.
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2010 Christmas Parade
The First Christian Church at 110 E. Vine St. has been holding a ham loaf dinner since the 1980s.
“It is a long standing tradition here at First Christian Church,” said Julie Durbin, who was in charge of the dinner. “We turn about 300 or 400 pounds of ham into ham loaf for the diners and we also make 1 1/2-pound loaves to sell.”
Joyce Henwood was having a rare treat at the church. She usually works on Saturdays.
“This is not my first year at the ham loaf dinner,” she said. “I’ve probably been coming here for the last 10 years. But I usually work on Saturday so this will be my first year at the parade. I’m looking forward to it.”
The Cookie Walk has been held by the First Congregational Church for six years.
“One of the members in our church visited a church and saw this idea,” explained Rev. Keith Stuart. “What we did was ask all the people in the church to come up with their favorite recipes.”
The church sold the cookies on both Saturday and Sunday. Stuart said the money goes to the church’s local ministries.
Two new features this year were the carousel on West Vine Street and train rides around Public Square. Both were wildly popular with long lines for both.
“This is our first time at the Christmas Walk” said Lisa Earnest of Fredericktown. “I’m here (at the train ride) with my nephew Blake (Earnest). I think he’s looking forward to a ride on the train if he holds out. He missed his nap to come here.”
The carousel was also very popular with a line that stretched around the corner on South Main Street.
“I liked the ride,” said Amber Small who had just finished her ride. “It feels just like real horses. I’m going to stay for the parade and see Santa Claus.”
Professor Myroni and his Magnificent, Marvelous Musical Managerie was holding forth at the Place@TheWoodward with a unique musical experience for young and old alike. Audience member Nancy Gutheil took part in the show helping the Professor with “Dueling Banjos” on the Wish Guitar, which can only be described as something between an air guitar and a real one.
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