Everyone is invited to participate in the Eighth Annual Tyrone Yuletyme Christmas Celebration sponsored by the Tyrone Yuletyme Christmas Committee and the Tyrone Area Chamber of Commerce.
The eighth annual tree lighting by Mayor Jim Kilmartin will take place at 6 p.m. this evening at the Tyrone Post Office.
Following the tree lighting, the Christmas parade will begin at approximately 6:15 p.m. Starting at 15th Street and Lincoln Avenue, the parade will follow the regular route, ending at the Tyrone Armory.
Sponsors this year include Albemarle, Burgmeier Hauling, Gardners Candies, American Eagle Paper Mill and Rotary Club of Tyrone.
Cash prizes will be awarded for first, second and third places in each of the following categories: business and commercial, churches and non-profit and youth. Also, one award for originality and one for best dressed will be given.
Santa is sponsored by Colonial Courtyard and will be stopping in afterwards at the Tyrone Armory for visits and pictures. Parents are encouraged to bring their camera and stop by the Armory to snap pictures.
Joshua House will provide hot chocolate and The Women’s Club will provide cookies for everyone.
Parade patrons are also invited to check out the Christmas trees which were decorated by area businesses and organizations.
The Eighth Annual Tyrone Yuletyme Christmas Craft Show is scheduled for tomorrow from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Visitors are invited to enjoy holiday shopping through the craft show and the shops in Tyrone.
Tomorrow, there will be children’s games in the Armory, sponsored by Community Worship Center, and Yuletyme hayrides at Rail Park. There will also be the Community Players Cafe at the Tyrone Community Players building on Logan Avenue.
Also, the Tyrone Area Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring the Fourth Annual “Breakfast” with Santa at Tyrone Colonial Courtyard on Saturday, at 10 a.m.
The Colonel Crowther Foundation will present a living history program at Wesley United Methodist Church on Saturday as well. The program will be presented using two of the basement rooms of the church between noon and 5 p.m. Entry will be through the door on the 12th Street side of the church.
On Sunday, the program will be presented at the Tyrone Area Historical Society’s Tyrone History Museum at Railroad Park from 1 to 4 p.m. Visitors will be able to experience most of the events and features of the Saturday program. Admission is free. Donations to the foundation will be accepted.
The Tyrone History Museum has several Christmas displays set up for visitors to enjoy. The museum will be open on Saturday from 1 to 4 p.m. as well as Sunday from 1 to 4 p.m.
Fran Bigelow has set up her miniature room boxes at the museum for this weekend’s special event. She has been creating these fun miniatures for almost 30 years.
Individuals are also invited to stop by and take a look at the collection of old Christmas postcards which are displayed throughout the museum. Each postcard depicts a beautiful Christmas scene.
There is also a display featuring the big man himself, Santa Claus.
In 1873 Thomas Nast was billed as “The Prince of Caricaturists”. The display at the Tyrone History Museum features the “modern” image of Santa Claus. Nast first drew Santa Claus for the 1862 Christmas season Harper’s Weekly cover and center-fold illustration.
