Last year’s Holiday Stroll was canceled because of snow and ice, but organizers say this year’s event is sure to be bigger than ever! “I am so excited about this year’s Holiday Stroll,” said Natasha Gaw, President of We Are Downtown. “With all the new downtown renovations, this year will be better than years past.”
The Holiday Stroll is scheduled for Saturday, December 6th from 4:00pm to 8:00pm. It officially starts with Mayor Payne lighting the Christmas tree at Smother’s Park, continuing with activities scheduled throughout the downtown area ranging from street performers to coffee shop concerts, Victorian-dressed carolers, and even a kazoo band. (Thank you, Habitat for Humanity.)
Jim Zabek, Holiday Stroll Entertainment Coordinator, posts updates on the Facebook page every day as plans develop, so keep checking for the latest information. Here is a list of events so far:
The OHS Chamber Winds will be performing at the conclusion of the tree lighting ceremony at Smother’s Park. There will be copies of lyrics to Christmas songs so the crowd can sing along.
Theater Workshop of Owensboro members will be face painting at the Museum of Science & History, where US Bank will also have an area where children can write letters to Santa or our military personnel. TWO actors will also be strolling the downtown area in Victorian costumes from “A Christmas Carol,” which will be opening the following Saturday at the TWO Opryhouse.
The Crème will be featuring keyboardist, vocalist and multi-instrumentalist Rachel Solomon from Nashville, TN. Rachel will be performing from 5:30pm to 7:00pm. (Rachel has played with Laura Bell Bundy, Heidi Newfield of Trick Pony, Adam Hood, and Toby Keith’s daughter Krystal Keith.)
STUDIO 105 has a full evening of live entertainment, featuring:
4:00pm – Renee Ekbladh (Vocalist)
5:00pm – Joe Day (Guitar & Vocals)
6:00pm – Sebastian Speranza (Baritone Saxaphone)
7:00pm – Joe Day and Steve Block (Guitar, Keyboard & Vocals)
Be sure to make the Owensboro Symphony Orchestra one of your stops. There you can hear the fantastic sounds of Dr. Diane Earle on the piano.
Trunnell’s Farm Market will be handing out free samples at the Convention and Visitors Bureau. In addition, the Kentucky Youth Chorale “Dickens Carolers” will be performing from 6:00pm to 6:45pm. The carolers consist of nine students and 3 teachers all in costume. A company from Bowling Green will be offering free horse-drawn carriage rides and during the stroll.
*If you are interested in participating in the stroll as an entertainer either in this year’s stroll or future strolls, please e-mail Jim Zabek at [email protected].
