Santa Claus is coming to town!

When you think of your favorite holiday memories, there undoubtedly is one common theme — lights. The light from a crackling fire, flickering light from candles, lights strung over the outside of the house, lights wrapped around your tree.

On Saturday, Nov. 10, you can kick off your holiday season by lighting up the Landing! The Park at Austin Landing will come alive for an entire evening of FREE festivities at the annual Kettering Physician Network Tree Lighting and Movie Night.

Make sure you arrive early so you can snag the perfect spot to watch the opening parade that begins at 6 p.m. It will feature decorated Jeeps, JoyRide cars, Frosty, Rudolph, the Grinch, stilt-walking toy soldiers, Chuy’s Red Fish, and friends from Miami Township police department, Blue Skies for Good Guys and Gals, Pink Ribbon Girls, and Therapeutic Riding Institute. Even more exciting is the latest addition to the parade -- the world-renowned Budweiser Clydesdales and Dalmatian (weather permitting)! Along the way, you can enjoy all the holiday lights spread around the Landing, which will be lit bigger and brighter than it ever has been before.

At 6:30 p.m., you’ll want to turn your eyes to the sky and watch for the big arrival of Santa, then he and Mrs. Claus will wrap up the parade in a special horse-drawn carriage. From there, the Claus couple will move to the main stage to preside over the official tree lighting at 6:45 p.m. Santa and Mrs. Claus will be available from 7-9 p.m. for photo opportunities and to let kids both big and little discuss their Christmas wishes. After you visit the Claus couple, be sure to stop over for your photo op with the Budweiser Clydesdales, between 7:15-745 p.m. (In the event of rain or snow, the Clydesdales will be unable to participate.)

As if all of this isn’t fun enough, Kettering Physician Network will be distributing free glow items, so you can help light up the Landing, too. There will be face painting, glitter tattoos, a trackless train, and polar bear bounce house. You’ll find plenty of opportunities to capture fun moments in photos, with an interactive snow globe photo booth, a selfie mirror in front of the Christmas tree, and of course, free photos with Santa. For your refreshment, several food trucks will be available, and the Staybridge Suites and Hilton Garden Inn will be selling hot chocolate to warm you up while you wait for Santa to arrive.

Throughout the evening, classic holiday movies will be playing on the big screen in the Park from 7-9 p.m., and Cinépolis will again be giving out free popcorn for your enjoyment. If you want to bring your own chairs for the movies, but don’t want to carry them around all evening, Field and Stream will host a free “chair check.” They will have hand-warmers, glowsticks, chairs and blankets available for purchase, as well.

Dayton-based For Love of Children, an organization that fills unmet needs for children all over the Miami Valley, will have in bins on-site to gather donations of brand-new toys, clothing, hygiene items, and more for the kids they serve. One of their primary programs, Christmas for Kids, ensures that needy children always have gifts under the tree at Christmas. Be sure to stop at a few of the stores around Austin Landing to purchase gifts and gift cards, then deposit those in the FLOC collection bins that will be scattered around the parking lots and in the Park. You, too, can help make this a very merry Christmas for kids in need. A complete list of suggested gift items is available at AustinLanding.com/Christmas. 

Due to anticipated crowds and modified traffic patterns, it is recommended that attendees arrive before 5 p.m.Please watch for signs and Miami Township police, who will assist you in finding the proper routes to follow for entry and exit. In the event of inclement weather, festivities will be rescheduled for Sunday, Nov. 11.

Mark your calendars now to make sure you don’t miss the free, festive fun for everyone at Austin Landing’s Tree Lighting and Movie Night on Nov. 10. Visit AustinLanding.com/Christmas for more information.

WANT TO GO? 

WHAT: Kettering Physician Network Tree Lighting Ceremony 

WHERE: The Park at Austin Landing, 10400 Innovation Drive, Miami Township. Free parking is available in the garage next to the event area or behind Progress Park Tower 

WHEN: Saturday, Nov. 10 at 6 p.m. (5 p.m. arrival recommended) | rain date: Sunday, Nov. 11

COST: FREE

Source: https://www.daytondailynews.com/native/?prx_t=ZzAEAAAAAACN8PA&fbclid=IwAR3Z5w09qYUwGewvvSWUwzyVzvZm0bvBzF-hlq7oJsER87Q1ciEmHfmXogs