Festival of Light Celebration culminates in ‘Grand Illumination’

Santa waves to the crowd on the way to the Ashland Plaza in 2022. Bob Palermini photo/palermini.com
November 26, 2022

Crowds throng downtown for 30th annual holiday season kickoff

Crowds lined Main Street as Santa, accompanied by reindeer, dancers and dozens of other celebrants gaily bedecked in seasonal regalia, made his way Friday to Ashland Plaza, where he addressed the crowd from the Brickroom balcony before flipping a switch to turn on more than a million lights illuminating downtown.

For event and holiday season information, visit travelashland.com and ashlandchamber.com.

Ashland Middle School students lead Santa’s procession to the Plaza. Bob Palermini photo/palermini.com
The Christmas parade makes its way down Main Street toward Ashland Plaza. Bob Palermini photo/palermini.com
Stilt walkers make their way past Paddington Station. Bob Palermini photo/palermini.com
Santa’s reindeer took him to the Ashland Plaza. Bob Palermini photo/palermini.com
Santa and Rudolph exit their sleigh at the Ashland Plaza. Bob Palermini photo/palermini.com
Santa and Rudolph look over the large crowd from the Brickroom balcony. Bob Palermini photo/palermini.com
Santa addresses the gathering while Rudolph looks on. Bob Palermini photo/palermini.com
Santa addresses the gathering while Rudolph looks on. Bob Palermini photo/palermini.com
10-The Ashland Plaza was full for the “Grand Illumination.” Bob Palermini photo/palermini.com
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Bert Etling

Bert Etling is the executive editor of Ashland.news. Email him at [email protected].

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