Miami Student

Issue date: 11/13/07 Section: Community

In preparation for the upcoming holiday months, Starbucks unveiled its seasonal decorations and products.

Although Halloween was just a few weeks prior, Oxford is already gearing up for the next major holiday celebrations, with seasonal lights now strewn across the city.

Each year the city hosts its annual Oxford Holiday Festival, which is a two-day event usually held at the beginning of December. The festival is free to the public and this year will be held from 6-9 p.m. Nov. 30 in the Uptown Parks and LCNB Building.

Oxfords Parks and Recreation Director Gail Brahier described what the festival would entail.

"The festival includes activities such as horse-drawn carriage rides, music and choirs, Santa arriving on a fire truck, a special gift for those who visit with Santa and a Lego train display," Brahier said.

The following day, Dec. 1, the events continue from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Oxford Community Arts Center where the Talawanda Band Boosters will host the Winter Arts and Crafts Show.

"All types of holiday gifts are available, from baked goods, to pottery, jewelry, wreaths and much more," Brahier said.

This event will also include Santa, who will be visiting from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. There will also be face painting and the Oxford Lions Club Tree Sale will be available as well.

"Oxford is beautiful during the holidays," Brahier said. "The mayor lights up Oxford in a tradition which spans decades. The Holiday Festival is a true community event, bringing out families and friends. Kids look forward to visiting with Santa, and the Community Art Center is the perfect spot for the Holiday Craft Fair."

In the annual tradition, the mayor physically lights up Oxford, as he or she turns a switch, and all the trees lining High Street and the parks are lit up.

In addition, the city Christmas tree is lit as well.

The Lion's Club will also be selling Christmas trees beginning Nov. 24 through Dec. 18 in Uptown Park.

Some Miami University students said they appreciate the city's holiday spirit.

"I love walking uptown and seeing the trees lit at night," said junior Meghan Ruppel. "It takes my mind off all the exams and projects I have at the end of the semester and it looks so pretty."

However, other students, such as senior Erin Dengler, will not be able to attend the holiday activities due to class work.

"The end of the semester will be busy this year, so I won't have time to go to the city's events; but my friends and I will decorate and do something like a secret Santa to celebrate Christmas," Dengler said.

Senior Alesyn Merry said she enjoys the holidays in Oxford regardless.

"It's nice that Oxford decorates uptown for the holidays," Merry said. "Even though I'm only here until exams finish, it's nice to see holiday decorations uptown to put me in the holiday spirit."

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