PREPARING FOR OLD-FASHIONED CHRISTMAS — The Sycamore Youth Center will hold its eighth-annual Old-Fashioned Country Christmas Concert at 6:30 p.m. today at the center. St. Joseph homeschool co-op students helped unload and organize donated coats and shoes received through an Operation Warm grant for children attending Sunday’s holiday event. -- Contributed

STEUBENVILLE — The Sycamore Youth Center will welcome Ohio Valley families to its most anticipated event of the year — the eighth-annual Old-Fashioned Country Christmas Concert, set for 6:30 p.m. today at the center, located at 301 N. Fourth St.

The evening will combine youth performances and a charitable outreach effort to benefit area children. This year’s concert will feature special appearances by Valley’s Got Talent overall winners Lynzee Ensell, 2021, and Dalana Bove, 2024, known for their dance abilities and stage presence. They will join 19 young artists, each performing a Christmas song in a warm, festive atmosphere. Sycamore will be decorated for the season, complete with lights, trees and classic holiday décor, according to organizers.

During intermission, guests will be treated to free food and drinks. Each child 18 years of age and younger, will receive a free coat, a pair of shoes and a Christmas gift, courtesy of a grant awarded to the nonprofit through Operation Warm.

The grant provided 256 winter coats and 256 pairs of shoes, all of which will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis. Sizes are available for children in preschool through 12th grade. Families will be asked to complete a TANF form upon arrival, a process that takes approximately one minute, officials stated. Any remaining items will be donated through another local nonprofit organization.

The evening will include an appearance from Santa Claus, who will be available for photos. The performance lineup includes: Jovie Kelly and Madyson Gruszecki, Valley’s Got Talent overall champions for 2025; Destiny Angelucci, the Sycamore Folk Dancers, the Sycamore Classical Choir, Blest, Ensell, Bove, Jenna Porter, Evan Conn, Leroy Slappy, Jasmine and Lily Zanes, Dominance Crawford, Andrea Crawford, DFE Dance Trio featuring Lexa Davis, Avrie Deah and Natalie Ramsey; Jona Parikakis, Serena Terry, Anthony Pearce, Next Level Community Choir and the Mighty Disciples Mime Team.

PERFORMERS — Special guests Lynzee Ensell, left, overall winner of the 2021 Valley’s Got Talent competition, and Dalana Bove, overall winner of the 2024 event, will perform at this evening’s holiday concert, along with 19 other artists. -- Contributed

Sycamore Executive Director Bobbyjon Bauman expressed his gratitude for the community support that makes events like this even possible.

“We are incredibly thankful for Operation Warm’s generous grant and for all of the volunteers who help bring this event together,” Bauman said. “This concert is not only a celebration of the season, but an opportunity to meet real needs for families in our region.”

Bauman extended appreciation to the St. Joseph’s homeschool co-op students, who assisted with unloading and organizing the coats and shoes ahead of the distribution.

Families are encouraged to arrive early, as seating and items will be available on a first-come basis. For information about Sycamore’s programs or upcoming events, visit its website at sycamorecenter.com.