With the weather boasting the familiar nip in the air and the signs of yule tide rapidly growing, one thing is abundantly clear in the small town of Wilmore, Kentucky: Christmas is near.
Driving down Main Street, signs of the season include lush garland wrapped around the street lights adorned with bows, simple white wire angels and various lights and decorations on shops.
On Asbury’s campus, Christmas trees and decorations have been up for weeks as students celebrate the holiday a little early with the winter break.
However, the holiday season is officially kicked off in town with the pinnacle event every year, the Old Fashioned Christmas.
Dec. 2 marks the annual Wilmore celebration, which boasts a day full of Christmas festivities.
“Wilmore’s Old Fashioned Christmas is a time-honored Christmas event that creates warmth and joy each year for all that attend,” the Jessamine Chamber website said. “From craft vendors to model trains to open houses, there is so much Christmas spirit swirling around the streets of Wilmore.”
The day commences with multiple events open to the public at 8:30 a.m. The Wilmore Municipal Building will host a pancake breakfast until 10:30 am. There will also be a craft fair and model train display in the same building that is open until 3 p.m.
For families looking to have breakfast with Santa, that is available until 10:30 a.m. at the East Jessamine High School.
Local businesses join in on the event with open houses offering Christmas deals and places to warm places to explore.
Also, down Main Street, festival-goers will find mini train rides running from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m.
Asbury’s Equine program has its own event during Old Fashioned Christmas called “Deck the Stalls.” This has been an annual event for the program with Asbury students working to pitch in.
Deck the Stalls is held at the Asbury Equine Center from 1 to 3 p.m.
The Potter’s Inn will also be holding its own festivities revolving around the classic holiday classic by Charles Dickens— A Christmas Carol. The “Dickens of a Christmas” even boasts carolers, Scrooge and Tiny Tim.
Guests of the historic home will meet the characters and sip on some hot cocoa as they can browse pottery crafted by Wilmore’s Rudy Medlock.
As the sun begins to set, the end of East Main Street will host the winter guard and tree lighting, the main street stroll and the grand finale at the Wilmore United Methodist Church.
