Nancy Crawford, representative of the Big Walnut Chamber of Commerce, told the Sunbury City Events and Commemorations Committee on Oct. 21 that the Chamber plans changes to Christmas on the Square 2025, including an iceless skating rink, a shortened parade endpoint and expanded musical programming.

"I'd like to say that this is the same as all the years past. However, we do have some big changes. We are going to have an iceless rink this year," Nancy Crawford said, adding the rink will be located on Columbus Street. Crawford asked the city for temporary street closures, barriers and additional electrical capacity for sound and staging, and requested a 24-hour window — from noon on Dec. 6 until noon on Dec. 7 — to allow the rink vendor time for setup and takedown.

Crawford said the skating company will provide ice skates and that the rink will be free to the community because a sponsor covered the cost; she identified Amazon as the sponsor. She described a revised parade route that starts at the library and travels up Cherry, Columbus and Granville streets, ending on the square where the parade disperses to reduce congestion. The Chamber plans vendor spaces and food trucks on the square and intends to post restricted-parking signage and notify businesses about the closure window.

On safety and logistics, Crawford said she has discussed barriers and road closures with city staff and that police and fire have not objected to the proposed plan. She said the city may use Jersey-style barriers (water-fillable plastic barriers) staged through public-works procurement and that staff will place digital signage and parking restrictions to guide traffic.

Crawford also requested additional on-square electrical capacity to support live music from local school choirs and community performers and asked whether the city could accommodate a stage and sound system. She said the Chamber has asked Santa to sit at the gazebo, where staff will provide a space heater, and proposed placing reindeer and a letters-to-Santa activity near the gazebo to occupy families waiting for photos.

City staff told the committee the event is a previously approved event and that existing preapproved street-closure language covers Christmas on the Square unless organizers request a new street-closure configuration. Staff said departments had been consulted and had no outstanding objections; the committee recorded no formal vote approving or denying the plan. Crawford said she will continue coordinating logistics with police, fire and public works.

Ending: The Chamber will finalize vendor and staging details with city staff; staff will place signage, manage parking restrictions and coordinate barricade staging for the event window.