Peru, IN – For the 27th year Peru’s businesses are staging a Downtown Christmas Open House, coordinated by Miami County Chamber of Commerce President Sandy Chittum and her staff and volunteers. The date is Saturday, November 23rd from 10 am to 8 pm, with a few stores opening earlier or closing later. This festive event is supported by First Farmers Bank & Trust, Miami County Economic Development Authority, Miami-Cass REMC and over forty businesses, clubs, and individuals. Most activities are free or at little cost. This is the largest Downtown Christmas Open House that Peru has ever produced.
Here is a brief summation of some of the more unique activities. A complete, detailed list and addresses of the businesses involved are available in the first-ever program, which may be obtained at any of the forty-five participating businesses while their supplies last. Each of the businesses will have programs; the back page of the program is the stamping page. The stamping page will explain that activity, with winners receiving gift certificates.
Activities include cookie decorating, live music, raffles with some expensive prizes, a visit with Scooby Doo, hot chocolate, cake samples, breakfast with Santa, sales, photo selfie stations, children’s crafts, letters to Santa, a free rummage “sale”, carnival games, door prizes, discounts, ice skating, performances of the Peru Amateur Circus and Ballet Arts of Peru, lunch, dinner and desserts at restaurants, food trucks and bakeries around town, barrel cart rides, s’mores packs, artwork, embroidered sweatshirts, blankets, Christmas ornaments, horse-drawn wagon rides, caroling, cider, dancing, instrument playing, rides on Santa’s train, and Santa visits in his house.
The Light Up! Peru Parade, produced by Paul Forman, will begin at 6 pm at the Depot on Broadway, progressing north. Immediately after the parade, the Christmas Tree at the Courthouse will be lit, and Santa will start residence in his house in front of the Courthouse. Santa will be in his house after the parade during the open house and then every Friday and Saturday from 5 pm to 7:30 pm and every Sunday from 2 pm to 4 pm until Christmas starting November 29.
The Window Decorating Contest entrants will be on the program and the contest explained on the stamping page. Christmas Card Park, in front of Arnie’s Ace Hardware at 56 South Broadway, is a display of giant Christmas cards, put together by area businesses and organizations. It is presented by the Miami County Economic Development Authority for the second year. The use of the windows at the corner of Main and Broadway were donated by the Day family for the use of the community. They are not part of the Window Decorating Contest.
Questions may be directed to (260) 568-0828, or to the Chamber office at (765) 472-1923.
