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Owensboro outlines downtown ‘Hometown Christmas’ schedule, cites more than 60,000 visitors last season
Summary
Public events director Tim Ross told the Owensboro City Commission the downtown tree lighting and related events drew 'over 60,000' visitors last year and previewed a multi-week slate of nightly light shows, skating and performances; schedules are posted on the city’s social pages.
Tim Ross, the city’s public events director, told the Owensboro City Commission on Sept. 2 that the city’s “Hometown Christmas” program will again bundle tree-lighting events, nightly dancing lights and a slate of performances across downtown. “We typically get, last year, I think we had over 60,000 folks that came downtown,” Ross said, summarizing attendance from the tree lighting through the holiday season.
Ross outlined the components residents can expect: nightly light displays with music from about 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.; 'Energy on Ice' skating at the pier when weather permits; concerts and museum programming at RiverPark, the Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame and the Convention Center; a Nutcracker run of performances; community fundraisers such as the Care Net reindeer run; a downtown merchants’ holiday stroll and a local 'Hot Chocolate Hop.' He said schedules and updates are posted on the city’s social pages and maintained by city staff.
Mayor Tom Watson and commissioners asked operational questions about who installs the large downtown tree and who manages decorations; Ross and staff confirmed Public Works handles the big tree and most lighting installations. Ross said the organization aims to coordinate events across venues so visitors can attend multiple attractions in one visit.
The commission received the presentation and had no further action. The city’s event calendar and individual event listings will be available online and via the city’s social media channels.
