Granville candlelight walking tour returns for 30th year

GRANVILLE - The Granville candlelight walking tour returns to its roots Saturday for its 30th anniversary.

"This year we're really focusing on helping give back to the community," Granville Area Chamber of Commerce board member Lisa Engelfield said.

The tour began when the four main churches in Granville on the town square gave back to the community through musical performances.

"That's all it started as," Engelfield said. "Eventually, the area museums became involved and the tour stayed small for the longest time. The whole tour expanded again after the Granville Business Association became the (Granville Area) Chamber of Commerce."

The tour this year will have more than 40 venues with more than 70 activities for attendees throughout the day. The event will start at 1 p.m. and run until 9 p.m.

"The walking tour is a unique event," Granville Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Steve Matheny said. "There will be musical performances, giveaways and businesses will be open."

A new addition to the long-standing tradition is the 30-passenger trolley that will carry visitors to and from the village.

"The trolley will bring tour visitors from various parking spots on Weaver Drive up to the village," Matheny said. "Even on days when there isn't a big event or festival going on, parking is limited in the village. We're hoping that this is a solution that will attract visitors."

A returning feature of the annual event is the decorated Christmas trees lining streets in the village. This is the second year individuals, families or businesses could sponsor a tree, Matheny said, as businesses previously sponsored them.

"There's a badge on the tree identifying the sponsors, and it includes the reason they chose to sponsor it," he added.

Santa and Mrs. Claus will be making an appearance at 4:30 p.m., traveling up Broadway and heading to the Robbins-Hunter Museum.

Along with giving back to Granville, this year's tour will ask visitors to give back to other communities, too.

"The kids' area will be a little different this year," Engelfield said. "We'll be giving back to the underprivileged. Kids will be decorating candy bags, holiday greeting cards for senior citizens and blankets for the James Cancer Center. Everyone is giving back this year.

"This will help teach the children that Christmas isn't just about getting gifts, but also about giving back."