Parade grand marshal Jim Wafford and week of festivities to start holiday season in Noblesville
It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas and the City of Noblesville, Noblesville Main Street, the Noblesville Chamber of Commerce and Hamilton County have several holiday activities planned in the coming days to make residents feel the warmth of the season.
Tree lighting
The season will kick off at 7 p.m. Nov. 28 with the annual lighting ceremony at the Hamilton County Judicial Center, sponsored by the Noblesville Chamber of Commerce.
“It is a privilege for the chamber to host the tree lighting and serve the community during the holiday season,” said Bob DuBois, executive director of the chamber. “Thanksgiving weekend is a family weekend. What we are trying to do is create fun memories for families at the tree lighting.”
DuBois said one of the changes this year is a slightly reformatted program following Mary Ressler’s retirement as coordinator.
“We’re so appreciative of Mary Ressler’s time and leadership with the tree lighting ceremony for more than two decades,” DuBois said. “The bar was set high by her. We hope to honor her by putting on a nice family show as well.”
DuBois said the event will include Noblesville High School’s David Hartman and his jazz quartet, Hamilton County Commissioner Steve Dillinger reading a Christmas story, community caroling and the lighting of the city tree. Mayor John Ditslear’s reading of “The Night Before Christmas” will include a theatrical interpretation from local actors.
“It’s the 50th anniversary of the Belfry Theatre and we thought that will be fun and a little bit different,” DuBois said.
The event will last approximately 45 minutes and will be indoors except for the tree lighting. DuBois said Eighth Street between Conner and Logan streets will be closed to traffic to provide residents safe traveling in and out of the Judicial Center. For information about the lighting ceremony, call 773-0086.
Christmas Parade
The annual Christmas parade will spread holiday cheer on the streets at 2 p.m. Nov. 30. As always, the holiday parade will mark the debut of Santa Claus to Noblesville for the season. City spokeswoman Cara Culp said children are invited to stop by Santa’s House on the courthouse square after the parade to tell him what they would like for Christmas. The “The Joys of the Season”-themed parade begins at 16th and Harrison streets and will travel south on 16th Street to Logan Street, west on Logan to Ninth Street, north on Ninth to Monument Street, and east on Monument to 16th Street, where it will end.
Jim Wafford, grand marshal
A familiar face around Noblesville, Jim Wafford will serve as this year’s Christmas parade grand marshal.
“I’m really excited about it. I didn’t realize how important it was for some people that they know someone as a grand marshal,” he said. “I’m so flattered and humbled.”
Wafford is the owner of three Noblesville businesses: Logan Street Signs & Banners, Noblesville Trophies and The Wafford Theater. He has created a number of websites for the community including HamiltonCountyTV.com, which airs local sports and events as well as classic movies and TV shows. Wafford also used to co-host “Sinisterly Bad Theater” with Hiram (Rick Vanderwielen) on Channel 19.
“We’ll have a SBT reunion. Hiram will be driving me in the parade,” Wafford said. “It’s going to be a lot of fun. Half the people will remember Hiram and think it’s funny, the other half won’t know who Hiram is and think it’s funny.”
Being involved in the holiday activities is nothing new to Wafford, who has worked the past 23 years behind the scenes helping to get things ready for the city.
“I’ve never had not to work, so this will be interesting,” he said.
Wafford assisted Dan Yancy for seven years hanging lights around downtown before the city took over the responsibility.
“We were two business guys who went to Wal-Mart every year to replace lights that didn’t work,” he said. “We did the best we could. … The square is beautiful. We were the ‘B’ team, now they have the ‘A’ team.”
While snow is his least favorite part of the holidays, Wafford said he enjoys the lights and Christmas music the most.
“I just love the Christmas music,” he said. “It takes me back to my younger days and fond memories. It brightens my spirit up.”
Noblesville Main Street
For two consecutive Fridays, Noblesville Main Street has plans to entertain and attract families to downtown.
As part of the tree lighting ceremony on Nov. 28, NMS Executive Director Chris Owens said the organization will have ice sculptures around the courthouse square. Last year’s inaugural Ice Festival had about 14 sculptures and Owens said this year’s will expand by six or seven.
“We had a great response last year and a significant amount of community members out looking at them,” said Owens. “We’re going to keep them up as long as they are not a nuisance or a danger – a minimum of a week.
Owens said Main Street will be offering complimentary hot chocolate near the Santa House on Nov. 28 and during the final First Friday event of 2014 on Dec. 5.
The “Shop Local” holiday promotion continues from 5 to 8 p.m. Dec. 5. Owens said many merchants will have extended holiday hours as other activities take place on the square.
“Carolers will be performing, chestnuts will be roasting and a children’s bell choir will be ringing in the holiday season. Come join us for a night of family-friendly holiday fun,” Owens said. “Merchants have done a great job decorating this year.”
For information about NMS events, call 776-0205.
Santa’s House hours
Nov. 30 – 3 to 5:30 p.m.
Dec. 5 – 4:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Dec. 6 – 1 to 4 p.m.
Dec. 7 – 1 to 4 p.m.
Dec. 13 – 1 to 4 p.m.
Dec. 14 – 1 to 4 p.m.
Dec. 18 – 4 to 7 p.m.
Dec. 20 – 1 to 4 p.m.
Dec. 21 – 1 to 4 p.m.
Dec. 23 – Noon to 3 p.m.
Dec. 24 – Noon to 3 p.m.
There is no charge to visit with Santa and parents are welcome to bring their own camera. For information, call 776-6367.
