Holmes County Area Events Highlight Busy Week Across Three Counties

The Center Stage at Holmes Center for the Arts, 5200 Ohio 39 in Millersburg, is the place to be this December as the organization brings its first full production of *The Nutcracker* to its own stage. Five performances are scheduled across the week, and that is just one of several events drawing residents across Holmes, Wayne and Ashland counties in the days ahead.

The Nutcracker at Holmes Center for the Arts

The Christmas classic will be presented at The Center Stage at Holmes Center for the Arts with performances running Dec. 4-8. Holmes Center for the Arts announced the production this December, marking the first full performance on its new theater stage, with local students and alumni featured throughout the cast. The performance schedule spans five evenings and matinees: 6 p.m. Thursday and Friday, 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, and 6 p.m. Monday.

Under the direction of dance director Abi Besse, the production promises beautiful costumes, stunning choreography and the unforgettable music of Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky. Holmes Center for the Arts executive director Shannon Olsen shared her enthusiasm, saying: "I'm very excited to see everything coming together, and I'm proud of everyone who has played a role in getting this production ready for the Christmas season."

Tickets are expected to sell quickly, priced at $18 for adults and $15 for all students. Tickets can be purchased at holmescenterforthearts.org.

Wreaths Across America at St. Genevieve Cemetery, Fredericksburg

On Saturday, Dec. 13, at 1 p.m., St. Genevieve Cemetery at 4527 Holmes County Road 229 in Fredericksburg will host the local Wreaths Across America ceremony. Led by local volunteers, the annual event carries the national mission to "Remember the Fallen, Honor their Service, and Teach the next generation the value of Freedom." The ceremony is open to the general public, and there is plenty of parking at the cemetery.

The 33rd National Wreaths Across America Day takes place Dec. 13, with over four million wreaths distributed across five thousand cemeteries throughout the country. St. Genevieve Catholic Church Cemetery in Calmoutier has hosted the ceremony for multiple years, making it an established Holmes County tradition. Those interested in volunteering or sponsoring a wreath can register at the Wreaths Across America website to receive updates about the Fredericksburg ceremony.

Wayne County Retired Teachers Association Luncheon

The Wayne County Retired Teachers Association holds its regular meeting at noon on Tuesday at the Wayne County Schools Career Center, and this one carries a full holiday program. After a short business meeting, WCSCC Culinary Arts students will prepare and serve lunch, and a Christmas program featuring carols sung with handbell accompaniment will follow. Luncheon reservations are $15 and can be made by emailing mrplybon@aol.com or by calling or texting 339-936-9238.

The pairing of a student-prepared meal with a student-led holiday performance gives the event a community feel that extends well beyond the retired educators in attendance. It is worth confirming whether the gathering is open to the broader public, as the program and the menu both suggest an experience worth the $15 reservation.

Hop On, Hop Off Historic Church Tour, Downtown Wooster

Friday evening from 4 to 7 p.m., Downtown Wooster hosts a free Hop On, Hop Off Historic Church Tour, and the price of admission is simply parking at the library and boarding the shuttle. The shuttle runs a circuit among the participating churches, allowing visitors to stop at each location at their own pace throughout the three-hour window. There is no cost for either the tour or the shuttle service.

The first 100 people to board will receive a free WayGo tote bag. The tour is a straightforward way to see Wooster's historic churches during the holiday season without needing to navigate multiple parking spots.

Christmas Parade, Tree Lighting and Fireworks, Downtown Ashland

Downtown Ashland lights up Saturday evening at 6 p.m. with its Christmas Parade, Tree Lighting and Fireworks, marking the official start of the holiday season in Ashland County. Santa and Mrs. Claus have already made their presence known on the square, having been photographed smiling after lighting the community tree on a recent Saturday night, a preview of the festivity the downtown event promises.

The combination of a parade, a tree lighting and a fireworks display in a single evening makes the Ashland event one of the most comprehensive holiday kickoffs in the region this week. Spectators planning to attend should watch for any road closure announcements as the evening approaches.

A Week That Covers Three Counties

From a ballet stage in Millersburg to a veterans cemetery in Fredericksburg, a career-center dining room in Wayne County and a church shuttle through Wooster, this week's calendar reflects the breadth of what Holmes and neighboring counties organize each December. A reliable annual holiday production can help position Holmes County as a destination for regional audiences, and the mix of arts, service, education and civic celebration on offer this week underscores just how much the tri-county area packs into a single stretch of the holiday season.