Kiya Manley, Alexa Burgess and Takyrah Mcvay dressed as Christmas elves and Elsa for the Downtown Lima Holiday Festival.
Precious Grundy | The Lima News
LIMA — Christmas cheer filled downtown Lima as local shops and restaurants hosted family fun activities to usher in the holiday season as Downtown Lima Inc. hosted its annual Holiday Festival Saturday afternoon.
Mr. and Mrs. Claus listened to young children as they gave their Christmas wishes at the Meeting Place. The Lima YMCA, ArtSpace/Lima and Kohn’s Money Vault had crafts and much more.
The Wingate hosted the Coca-Cola Koala Bear gifting cola and peppermints. Zinum 12 had a hot chocolate bar.
There were other fun photo opportunities with The Grinch That Stole Christmas outside of Joey’s Subs, an elf selfie station at Perennialglow spa and Elsa inside Our Town Roast.
Beauty by Jill provided free hair tinsel. Alter Ego Comics hosted a concert by the Spartainaires and gave away free Spidey comic books. Children of all ages danced the afternoon away at the 318 Restaurant & Bar with Snowflake the Elf.
The Metro Center Luxury Lofts hosted various businesses in their Lobby.
“We have all different vendors from different places,” said Vicki Newland, Member of the Design Review Board. “Right here we have a lot of crafts, popcorn, and singers from Liberty Arts Magnet.”
Sarah Newman of ArtSpace/Lima weighed in on the day full of holiday festivities.
“We are making Christmas cards using pictures and gluesticks,” said Newman. “We also have a not-so-secret Santa shop.”
Sally Windle, ArtSpace of Lima Executive Director, shared as well.
“ArtSpace of Lima has always participated but it has never been like this,” said Windle. “This time it has gone to a different level because we have geared what we are doing to the Christmas shoppers and the Christmas Spirit. Our lobby is fully decorated. We have a Santa shop for the younger kids. Plus we have a class going on so it is filled beyond our expectations.”
Windle said the event also gave community members a chance to view the artwork in the gallery.
There was fun for parents as well. Don Jenkins Jewelers had a registration for a Browns Ticket Giveaway. The Ohio Theatre had a shop filled with local vendors.
Community members were able to ride the Downtown Trolley provided by the Allen County Regional Transit Authority. The streets of Lima were filled with laughter as families embraced the joyous season.
Reach Precious Grundy at 567-242-0351.
