Main Street Delaware’s November First Friday event will celebrate some of the city’s greatest assets — the nonprofit organizations that serve the community and represent the best of what makes Delaware a desirable place to live.
On Friday, Nov. 2, various organizations will take part in the “Celebrate Service” event as a way of both celebrating their work and generating awareness on the services they provide. The groups will provide giveaways, information, and opportunities for people to get more involved in community service.
November’s First Friday, sponsored by Performance Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram of Delaware and by United Way of Delaware County, will also feature games, face-painting, cooking demonstrations, and more family-friendly fun.
Main Street Delaware Director Susie Bibler said the month of November and the approaching Thanksgiving holiday is fitting for this particular First Friday theme.
“We want to make sure the community is aware of all the services that are available to them, because they live in our community,” Bibler said. “As they are maybe getting ready for end-of-the-year giving that they maybe make a donation, or if they are looking for volunteer opportunities, we want to make sure they are aware of all of the entities that are here in Delaware to get involved with.”
Bibler said that having worked with nonprofits prior to coming to Main Street Delaware, she has seen how surprised residents typically are to find out just how many efforts exist in the community, highlighting the need for an event such as First Friday to bring awareness to their causes.
The First Friday celebration won’t be the last of the month, as the “Home for the Holidays” weekend will return for the second year beginning on Friday, Nov. 30, with the lighting of the downtown Christmas tree.
Carolers, horse-drawn wagon rides, and the arrival of Santa Claus will add to the festive feel of Delaware’s kick off to the Holiday season.
Festivities will continue through the weekend as calendars turn to December with a “Dash for Dasher” scavenger hunt from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 1. Participants are asked to contribute a box of cereal or make a monetary donation to benefit People In Need, Inc., of Delaware County. After helping Santa Claus find his missing reindeer, residents can go talk to the man himself at the Strand Theatre from 1-3 p.m.
On the final day of the weekend, the “Home for the Holidays” weekend will be capped off with the annual Main Street Delaware Christmas Parade. It will commence at 3 p.m. from Mingo Park and will end at Wilmer Street via Sandusky Street. The U.S. Post Office will collect letters to Santa at the start of the parade.
To participate in the event will cost $25 and registration is now open. Anyone interested in participating in the parade can visit www.mainstreetdelaware.com/Christmas-in-downtown. For additional information, contact 740-362-6050 or email [email protected].
