Keeping with local tradition, the ceremonial lighting of the downtown Cuyahoga Falls Christmas tree will continue this year, but with one significant change: unlike last year’s event, brimming with guests waiting to see Santa, Anna & Elsa, pet a reindeer, or hear the choir sing, this year’s tree lighting ceremony will be virtual.
In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, having the community meet physically in such a small space to view the tree is a great impossibility. Therefore, on Saturday, November 28th at 6 pm, Mayor Don Walters will greet the community via a video on the Facebook pages of the City of Cuyahoga Falls and Parks & Recreation, and on Instagram at cuyahogafallsoh and cf_parksandrec.
“The holiday season has always been a time for the Cuyahoga Falls community to come together in celebration and, though it will look a lot different this year as we continue to navigate the COVID-19 pandemic, we will still be able to have some fun while working to keep everyone safe and well,” stated Mayor Don Walters in a press release. “On behalf of everyone at Cuyahoga Falls City Hall, I want to wish everyone a very safe, healthy, and happy holiday season.”
Prior to the lighting of the tree, Mayor Walters has urged the community to gather blankets, cookies, and hot cocoa and cuddle up as he and Santa Claus present a reading of The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg.
Meanwhile, although the tree lighting will be virtual, the downtown ice rink will be open and available to the community. Due to public health guidelines, the city has made multiple changes to the rink’s usage this year, including operating on a first-come, first-serve basis and requiring guests to sign in before using the rink. The rink will be sanitized 15 minutes before each hour during the time it is open, and hours are subject to change with regard to changing public health guidelines.
For additional information on the Downtown Cuyahoga Falls Ice Rink, including tentative hours and skate costs, visit https://www.cityofcf.com/places/ice-skating-rink.
