"A Hometown Celebration"

Lorain's holiday season kick-off, Lorain Winterfest, will take place on Saturday, November 27. This annual celebration will return to a full slate of events after curtailing its offerings last year.

Lorain Winterfest, an event of Lorain Growth Corporation, begins at 4:30 p.m. with a parade up Broadway ending at Veteran's Park. Then, at Veteran's Park and downtown, there will be live entertainment, including Christmas carols, children's events, and more.

Mayor Jack Bradley and the Commander of American Legion Post 30, Jeremiah Garza, will be "switching on the lights" at Veteran's Park, and then fireworks will light the sky at 6:00 p.m.

Lorain City Hall decorated for Winterfest and the entire holiday season

photo courtesy of Lorain Growth Corporation

There are also festivities happening at Black River Landing. The International Trees and Trains Display will be inside the Transportation Center with beautifully decorated Christmas trees and many operating model trains. Guests are welcome back inside the building this year.

Across from the Transportation Center is "The North Pole," where you can visit with Santa and a live reindeer and see the many different Christmas lights Black River Landing has to offer, including Lorain's Caboose that will also be on display and decorated with lights. The caboose will be open inside, and visitors can speak with some of the crew working on its restoration and preservation—weather-permitting.

Santa making an appearance at Lorain Winiterfest's North Pole

photo courtesy of Lorain Growth Corporation

Be sure to visit the many shops and restaurants downtown as it is "Small Business Saturday."

And to help visitors get to all of the activities this year, the Horizon Education Center will be providing a shuttle service. Please look for their shuttles to get to and from each of the activity locations.

If you don't make it to Winterfest or want to see some of it again, the International Trees and Trains Display and Santa will continue through December.

For more information, please visit lorainwinterfest.org.

Sponsor solider proudly displayed at Lorain Winterfest

photo courtesy of Lorain Growth Corporation

A very special thank you to these sponsors:

Northwest Bank - Fireworks

American Legion Post 30 - Veterans Park Lights

LCCC - Live Reindeer Exhibit

Horizon Education Centers - Shuttle Service