Christmas in the Park coming Dec. 2

A pre-commercial look at how Christmas used to feel

STEUBENVILLE -- Christmas wasn't always about commercialism. It didn't center around purchasing the most presents or having the best decorative light display.

At one point in time, Christmas was more of a feeling.

And from noon to 5 p.m. on Dec. 2, historic Beatty Park will bring those simpler times back to the community once again.

Christmas in the Park first began as a passing thought. Many believed an event such as this would never come to light. But those affiliated with the Friends of Beatty Park changed all that.

The group's founder, Flora VerStraten-Merrin, always wondered what it would be like to have one simplistic day where residents could come together and enjoy the holiday inside the park.

"What if we tried to bring back that feeling of how Christmas used to be when growing up in Steubenville?" she asked herself. VerStraten-Merrin was speaking specifically about the South End of town, prior to when the season became so commercialized.

Enter a nativity scene. Then, add music, food, playing in the snow and Santa Claus. And there you have Christmas in the Park.

"These were the mainstays for those growing up when Beatty Park was in its heyday," she commented. "We really just wanted to bring back those childhood feelings and memories of simpler times. The park was always part of our families and childhood."

VerStraten-Merrin stated when organizers planned the first Christmas in the Park event, she wondered if anyone would take to the idea and attend.

She addressed this concern, saying, "I thought maybe we'd get about 100 visitors, but we had close to 500 people show up. I certainly didn't think there would be more people attend last year's event, but everyone involved, began contacting me, asking what next year's date was going to be and wondering how they could help."

"More than 700 people were in attendance last year," she added.

"Now, we are at year three and still counting," she happily stated.

The family-friendly, free event will feature an afternoon of entertainment. Various activities have been mapped out, according to VerStraten-Merrin, who explained, "We want visitors to come and take a relaxing stroll through the park."

A map and schedule of events will be distributed to attendees when they arrive at the park's entrance. Stations will be marked with yard signs, informing guests on where to go.

This year's lineup features the following:

≤ A live nativity will be displayed from noon to 5 p.m. at the Caretaker No. 1 Area.

Being one of the more popular stations, this scene has featured sheep, donkeys and calves in the past. Adults and children will be permitted to pet and feed the animals on site.

VerStraten-Merrin explained friends of hers agreed to bring their animals to the park during that first year. "We had and will have donkeys and sheep and whatever baby animals they might have on their farms, which could include lambs and calves," she commented. "The children love petting and feeding them. We provide small bags of animal-friendly snacks so the children can feed them. Some of the kids love the animals so much that the parents can't get them to leave the area and go see Santa Claus. We thought that was pretty funny. We also have a representation of baby Jesus in a cradle near the animals. This gives parents and friends the opportunity to talk to one another and their children about the first Christmas."

≤ Live music will be performed by bands, choirs and quartets, including the Sycamore Classical Choir and the Tri-State Community Band. Performances will run from 12:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the Caretaker No. 2 Area. This provides a soft, rolling sound throughout the heart of the park, officials stated.

"This year, we are excited to have the Central City Brass Band play in our natural setting," VerStraten-Merrin said. "The band will be performing at 2 p.m. and will surely get everyone's toes tapping."

Following their performance, the Sycamore Classical Youth Choir will perform for the audience. Officials said they are hoping to have a few sing-a-longs before and after their performances. Two large picnic tables are available for seating. Visitors have the option to bring a folding chair and relax near the nativity scene while enjoying the live music. This area will be offering a station of free holiday food, including Christmas cookies.

≤ Free hot dogs and Christmas cookies will be distributed while supplies last at the First Bridge parking area. This site will feature the Christmas Storybook Walk and Hike, as well. This outdoor activity incorporates large, framed pages of a favorite holiday book within a lovely, nature area, according to organizers. The Public Library of Steubenville will have a new book up at the Storybook Walk area. It is geared for parents and older children to read to younger children, "The Last Christmas Tree."

This area will be laid out as a winter wonderland, which follows this year's Beatty Park float theme. This area is perfect to take photos of children and pets, VerStraten-Merrin commented. Friendly, leashed dogs are welcome to attend, as dogs love the park year-round, she added.

≤ Santa Claus and his helpers have left the North Pole and landed at Santa's House. The famous Christmas character and his assistants can be found from noon to 5 p.m. at the First Shelter.

Santa will have treats and small gifts for children, as well as treats for pets. Pictures can be taken with Santa during this timeframe and $5 tickets will be available for a fundraiser drawing. Proceeds raised will be donated to the Friends of Beatty Park for various revitalization projects. The items to be won are a walking stick, whittled from a piece of wood found in the park and carved by Dom Duco; and a 16-inch-by- 20-inch double-matted, framed photo of the 1884 historic sandstone bridge. The drawing is part of the Friends of Beatty Park's campaign, "Save the Bridge," which started four years ago. There is no limit as to how many tickets can be purchased.

≤ A Christmas Craft Corner and bouncy house will be set up for children from noon to 5 p.m. at the Second Shelter House. Christmas cookies and warm drinks for the young and old will be available while supplies last. Guests can bring along a small blanket and cuddle up near a heater to watch the children bounce or help them put their crafts together, officials stated.

≤ Walk or hike to the Historic Old Stone Lodge between noon and 4:30 p.m. for a history lesson about the park, cemetery and city. Visitors will pass a historic Works Progress Administration shelterhouse along the way. There they will find archaeologist John Boileigh from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources and VerStraten-Merrin, a local historian. The two will provide a history presentation to their audience every 30 minutes.

Boileigh and VerStraten-Merrin will be stationed at the lodge throughout the afternoon to share the history of the park; speak about the structures, including the old stone lodge; discuss the stone bridges; and share information about the natural features that can be found within the park.

Organizers said those interested can sit by the fireplace and enjoy the interesting conversations which will be educational and fun. Dogs are welcome to attend the presentations with their owners.

Geocaching will take place in this area during the afternoon.

Presented by Emily Goodrich and her group, geocaching is a global treasure hunt of people looking for caches, or hidden stashes, of objects. Some describe it as a series of hide-and-seek games where hiders provide online clues for those seeking. Seekers use global positioning system devices along with apps on their smart phones, to find the hidden caches. The Old Stone Lodge will be a display, while gifts and drawings will be given away as part of the activity.

Goodrich will set up an area and offer free giveaways and prizes all afternoon. She and others will be on hand to answer any questions for anyone new or interested in starting this interesting hobby.

"I am sure that geocachers from the Tri-State Area will be throughout the park on this day," VerStraten-Merrin commented. "This is not something not new to Beatty Park. The park and geocaching go way back. I have been told that historic Beatty Park is a great location to seek and find such treasures."

"Don't miss the stations set up all through the park," VerStraten-Merrin continued. "Visitors can begin at the entrance and work their way up through the park or begin at the end of the park, where there is a large parking area and work their way down the heart of the park, visiting each station along the way.

"There will be signs at each station referring to the name of the event and any special times or activities. Upon reviewing all of the stations, we aim to please and offer something for everyone. Of course, this annual event is geared to families. However, many people interested in nature, hiking, history or dog walking are all welcome and will find someone fun and interesting."

It is important to note, the event will go on as long as weather conditions are favorable. This includes snowy, cold conditions. A cancellation will occur at 10 a.m. the day of the event should there be rain, freezing rain or a snow storm, organizers said. Watch for posts and updates on the group's Facebook page, Friends of Beatty Park, or contact VerStraten-Merrin at (740) 632-4453.

Parking is permitted anywhere throughout the park and along Lincoln Avenue, prior to the park's entrance. There are church parking lots available for parking, as well. Drivers are not permitted to park on any grassy areas, officials noted.

In conclusion, VerStraten-Merrin commented that, "Above all, remember that the park is a beautiful, historic park every day and every season of the year. Our group organizes events and activities all-year round. There is a desire and need for such a park in every town, and Steubenville is blessed to have its own 99-acre, wooded nature park with four developed trails for everyone to enjoy."

"For the past two years, Anthony Vett and his hard-working crew from the Eastern Ohio Correction Center have been such a big help with heavy or difficult projects, that we couldn't have been able to get this done without them," she said. "Our volunteer-base is small and we are aging. It is a win-win having Anthony and the crew in the park. These people want to come to the park and enjoy being outside, getting physical exercise. Our nature park provides opportunities for them to give back to their community."

VerStraten-Merrin concluded by saying everyone involved, from those making food, to the farmers loaning their animals for the nativity scene, to the performers donating their time … it is truly a heart-felt gesture. We want to thank this community for supporting the park, in word and in deed. We are grateful to everyone."