Central City Shines Bright: A Festive Kickoff to the Holiday Season

On Saturday, November 30th, 2024, the heart of Huntington’s Central City transformed into a sparkling winter wonderland as we celebrated the first-ever Light Up Central City event. Held on Small Business Saturday, this festive gathering brought together the community for a day filled with holiday cheer, local shopping, and live entertainment.

Despite the chilly weather, the event drew dozens of shoppers and families to 14th Street West, where they explored the vibrant offerings of local businesses. From antiques to handmade art and cozy food vendors, the streets were alive with the spirit of #ShopSmall, reminding everyone of the importance of supporting our local economy during the holiday season.

Event Highlights

Throughout the day, visitors enjoyed a variety of engaging activities and festive fun. The Christmas Scavenger Hunt led participants on a journey through local shops, with holiday-themed questions adding an extra layer of excitement. Live performances at the Central City Gazebo Park provided a musical backdrop, with Lee Dean channeling the charm of Frank Sinatra, Keyamo Onoge bringing his signature energy, and the Huntington Harmonica Club Band captivating the crowd with holiday music.

Families made lasting memories posing for photos with Santa and Frosty the Snowman, while complimentary hot cocoa and Knead Noodles’ homemade chicken noodle soup kept everyone warm and fueled for the day. We even had a special visit with Garnet Bernice as well!

Grand Lighting Ceremony

As evening approached, the community gathered around the entrance to the Gazebo Park for the highly anticipated grand lighting ceremony. Special guests, including New Mayor-Elect Patrick Farrell, Raine Klover of the Huntington Children's Museum, Lauren Kemp of RenewAll and the Old Central City Association, and City Council Members Todd Sweeney, Teresa Johnson, Sarah Walling, and Jason Auther, joined in flipping the switch

Lauren Kemp, President of the Old Central City Association offered words of inspiration just before the switch was flipped, saying, “The true value of having a local economy isn’t just in the bottom line of small businesses and the specific jobs they create. It’s also the notion that place matters. A community can nurture active citizens and help people realize their dreams. Central City matters and everything that each of us contributes to the community makes a moment like this possible.” The park came alive with dazzling lights, marking the start of a new holiday tradition in Central City.

Central City's Nice List

This event was made possible by the support of a variety of organizations and businesses that made “Central City’s Nice List.” The Central City Nice List included: Dutch Miller Chevrolet, OVP Healthcare, Comcast-Xfinity, Neighborgall Construction, Hattie & Nan’s Antiques & Rare Books, Huntington’s City Council Bob Bailey & Todd Sweeney, Worthy Ambitions, Huntington Children’s Museum, El Botanas Food Truck, The Frame Station, RenewAll, and in remembrance of Skip Campbell. Their contributions ensured a memorable experience for everyone who attended!

Support Local All Season Long!

The success of Light Up Central City proved that even on a cold day, the warmth of community spirit can shine through. With the streets glowing and hearts full, we look forward to welcoming all who come to take photos and enjoy the new holiday decor! For more information about how to support local the rest of the holiday season, visit www.oldcentralcity.org/lightupcentralcity.