Dickens Christmas | Marion County Chamber of Commerce

Dickens Christmas

November 25, 2011

The Main Street Committee and the Marion County Chamber of Commerce join together each year to celebrate an old-fashioned downtown Christmas by hosting Dickens Christmas. The Christmas festivities are held the Friday after Thanksgiving each year and always begin with the lighting of the Community Christmas Tree and a Christmas Parade featuring Santa Claus as the Grand Marshal. Local businesses extend their hours until 7:00 p.m. to offer shopping for all! On Saturday, enjoy breakfast with Santa and an Arts & Crafts Show, enjoy events throughout the day at Centre Square!

In conjunction with Dickens Christmas, the Marion County Chamber of Commerce hosts an Annual Chili Cook-Off. Employees around the area are challenged to put together a chili recipe and prepare it for the visitors to share. Proceeds from this contest are donated to a local charity each year.

The winner of the cook-off receives a handmade pottery chili bowl and hold bragging rights until the following year!

Festivities begin at 5:30pm Friday

-5:30 p.m. - Lighting of the community Christmas tree.
-5:30 p.m. - Strolling carolers
-5:30 p.m. - Holiday brass band
-5:30 p.m. - Live Nativity at Lebanon Methodist Church
-5:30 p.m. - Marion County Chamber of Commerce Chili Cook-Off
-5:30 p.m. - Pony rides
-5:30 p.m. - Trackless train rides
-6:30 p.m. - Christmas in the park
-7:00 p.m. - Dickens Christmas Parade, featuring Santa Claus

Click to download and print the 2011 Christmas Parade Application!

Click to download and print the Dickens Chili Cook Off Entry Form.

For more information, contact the Chamber or Downtown Lebanon Graham Memorial Park Centre Square at 270-692-9594.