FOUNTAIN CITY, Ind. – Fountain City’s second annual Hometown Holiday celebration will take place Saturday, Dec. 6, bringing festive lights, music, and community cheer to the heart of town.
The evening begins at 5:30 p.m. with the town’s first-ever Lighted Christmas Parade, featuring the Northeastern Band and a variety of illuminated floats. The parade will travel from the Lions Club, down Main Street to U.S. 27, and end at Fountain City Park.
Once the parade concludes, the park will host the main festivities, including live music, a tree lighting ceremony, photos with Santa, and a variety of vendors offering hot chocolate, cookies, and more. Community partners for this year’s celebration include Roasted – Coffee Station, Martin’s Country Mart, Brighter Path, Quaker Trace Carriage, and Fountain City Forward merchandise table.
The celebration is organized and hosted by Fountain City Forward, with support from partners including the Wayne County Foundation Grant. Elizabeth Williams Bond, member of Fountain City Forward, said seeing the park filled with families and smiles reminds their team why they host this event.
“Everything Fountain City Forward does is aimed at bringing people together,” Bond said. “Helping neighbors reconnect, building community pride, and creating shared experiences.”
Guests may park at The Eatery, inside the park, and along nearby side streets.
Families are encouraged to bring their own ornament to hang on the Community Tree. For those who don’t have one, a simple ornament station will be on-site, allowing guests to personalize an ornament.
Santa will make a festive entrance on a lighted tractor to officially open the evening. A Lighted Santa’s Mailbox will also be set up for children to drop off their letters. “Last year, many of us were moved to tears watching children light up as they saw Santa and counted down the tree lighting,” Bond said.
Live holiday music will be performed throughout the evening by featured musician, Rafe Addison.
Bond noted that this year’s event will carry added meaning with planned dedications. Both the Community Tree and the recently added Wind Phone will be formally recognized.
Nearly 15 volunteers are contributing their time to make the celebration possible.
“We don’t host this event to make money. We host it to give families something joyful, magical, and meaningful to experience together,” Bond said, adding that everyone is welcome, even those who live outside Fountain City.
Photo features board members with Santa, 2024 Hometown Holiday.
Image submission by Elizabeth Williams Bond.
