Downtown Sharon lights up Thursday

By Courtney Anderson
Herald Staff Writer

SHARON November 18, 2008 03:15 pm

— This year’s Sharon Light Up Night celebration will be a little different.
The holiday kickoff starts at 6 p.m. Thursday in downtown Sharon.
Organizer Angela Palumbo said some of the festivities at the annual event, which is sponsored by Greater Sharon Associates, will be moved out of a downtown parking lot and onto State Street.
“There will be a lot of activity right in front of The Winner,” Ms. Palumbo said, adding that the idea was to make the event “homier.”
“It should be fun,” she said.
The First National Bank parking lot will still be home to the Salvation Army cantina and Daffin’s Candies, Ms. Palumbo said, and the site of face-painting.
The Sharon High School band will march across the State Street bridge, which was replaced last year and is an excellent vantage point for the fireworks display that will end the night around 7:15 p.m., Ms. Palumbo said.
After a carol sing-along, the Sharon High choir will perform, Ms. Palumbo said.
Shenango Valley Chamber of Commerce’s businessman of the year Henry Nemenz, owner of Sav-A-Lot, will light the torch.
Turning on the Christmas tree lights will cue the arrival of Santa Claus, Ms. Palumbo said.
A stage set up facing east near Porter Way, will be the site of announcements, like winners of the decorating contest, Ms. Palumbo said.
Businesses can be acknowledged for “Norman Rockwell-type” decorations or a children’s theme, she said. Mayor Bob Lucas will choose the traditional winner and the Shenango Valley Chamber of Commerce will name one for kiddie-related trimmings.
The winners of the Tom Turkey Tour contests will also be announced Thursday night, Ms. Palumbo said.
Until 2 p.m. Thursday people can enter to win prizes at these local businesses: Laskey’s, The Book Rack, Warehouse Sales, The Gold Mind, Gilbert’s Insurance, Ann Baker Hair, Petals Floral and Reyers’. Prizes were donated by the businesses, she said.
Police said State Street will close at about 4 p.m. between Shenango and Water avenues for the stage to be set up. Shenango will be closed briefly for the band to line up, police said.
State Street will reopen after the fireworks, police said.