Decking the halls in Wayne County

By Amy Lynch

Richmond and the surrounding area are serving up a whole batch of seasonal activities and events sure to make your holidays a little happier.

Old-Fashioned Christmas Festival

Head on down to the Historic Depot District on Tuesday nights between Nov. 29 and Dec. 20 to enjoy lots of festive fun including lights and luminaries, horse-drawn carriage rides, a fantasyland train display, caroling, visits with Santa and live reindeer. The festival runs from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. each week; admission and parking are free.

Madrigal Dinners

Feast on fine holiday fare while enjoying a performance of Medieval Christmas carols sung by the Madrigals dressed in period costumes. Dinners take place at Reid Memorial Presbyterian Church on Friday, Dec. 9; Saturday, Dec. 10; and Sunday, Dec. 11; each night’s event begins at 6 p.m. Tickets are $24 per person. Call early to make arrangements — there’s only space for 60 attendees per dinner and the reservations deadline is Nov. 30.

Christmas Festival and Silent Auction

From Nov. 25 through Dec. 11, the Wayne County Historical Museum hosts its annual Christmas Festival and silent auction. With dolls on display, dainty nibbles, punch and hot chocolate, the Doll Tea on Dec. 10 is a perfect party to share with daughters and granddaughters. The tea starts at 1 p.m.; guests are urged to dress for the occasion and bring their favorite dollies along! (Tea admission is $10 per adult, $4 per child; museum members can enjoy a discounted rate of $5 per adults and $2 per child.)

Lighted holiday festivities

Light up the night by attending one of several area holiday parades — Downtown Richmond’s parade steps off at 7 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 2, and Centerville’s parade takes place at 6 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 10. Also, check out the thousands of holiday lights at Cambridge City’s Christmas Wonderland Celebration of Lights in Critz Park.

The Texas Tenors

The popular “America’s Got Talent” vocal group comes to town Saturday, Dec. 10 for a holiday concert at Civic Hall. By blending country, classical, pop and gospel musical styles, this Houston-based trio has a unique sound all its own, and one that lends itself perfectly to all the best seasonal standards. The concert starts at 8 p.m. Tickets are $28 for adults, $20 for students; group rates are available. For more information, call the Civic Hall box office at (765) 973-3350, or visit www.civichall.com.

To learn more about these and other local holiday events, call the Richmond/Wayne County Welcome Center toll-free 1-800-828-8414, or go to www.visitrichmond.org.

Born and raised in Richmond, freelance writer Amy Lynch now makes her home in Indianapolis with her husband and three-year-old son. Read more about her food and travel adventures at http://www.amysfoodflights.wordpress.com/.