Dickens Christmas | Marion County Chamber of Commerce

Dickens Christmas

November 23, 2012

The Main Street Committee and the Marion County Chamber of Commerce join together each year to celebrate an old-fashioned downtown Christmas by hosting Dickens Christmas. The Christmas festivities are held the Friday after Thanksgiving each year and always begin with the lighting of the Community Christmas Tree and a Christmas Parade featuring Santa Claus as the Grand Marshal. Local businesses extend their hours until 7:00 p.m. to offer shopping for all! Santa will be available for photo’s immediately following the parade.

In conjunction with Dickens Christmas, the Marion County Chamber of Commerce hosts an Annual Chili Cook-Off. Employees and individuals around the area are challenged to put together a chili recipe and prepare it for the visitors to share. Proceeds from this contest are donated to a local charity each year.

The winner of the cook-off receives a handmade pottery chili bowl and hold bragging rights until the following year!

Festivities begin at 5:30pm Friday

-5:30 p.m. - Lighting of the community Christmas tree.
-5:30 p.m. - Strolling carolers
-5:30 p.m. - Holiday brass band
-5:30 p.m. - Live Nativity at Lebanon Methodist Church
-5:30 p.m. - Marion County Chamber of Commerce Chili Cook-Off
-5:30 p.m. - Pony rides
-5:30 p.m. - Trackless train rides
-6:30 p.m. - Christmas in the park
-7:00 p.m. - Dickens Christmas Parade, featuring Santa Claus

Click to download and print the 2012 Christmas Parade Application!

Click to download and print the Dickens Chili Cook Off Entry Form.
Click to print an entry form for a chance to light the Dickens Christmas Tree.

For more information, contact the Chamber or Downtown Lebanon Graham Memorial Park Centre Square at 270-692-9594.