WEST LIBERTY – West Liberty will kick off the Christmas season with the annual Christmas-in-the-Village festivities on Friday, Nov. 27, and Saturday, Nov. 28. Village shops will have Christmas Open Houses both days. More info and the schedule of events can be found at http://www.mywestliberty.com/events.html. Throughout the holiday season, Christmas music will play throughout the downtown area.

From 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday, Marie’s Candies will offer samples, candy-making demonstrations and free gingerbread house decorating for children age 12 and under.

From 4 to 6 p.m. Friday, an Old-fashioned Ham & Bean and Chili Soup Dinner will be offered at The Grove, a new community center next to Nelson Insurance downtown. The Grove will hold an Open House 4-8 p.m. Friday with face painting and ornament making for the children and snacks for all.

Beginning at 5 p.m. Friday will be the 17th annual Luminary 5k Run. See the village website, www.mywestliberty.com, for details.

At 6 p.m. Friday the annual Christmas Parade begins. The 2015 theme is “Favorite Christmas Songs.” Parade entry forms can be obtained on the village website and submitted ahead of time or the day of. All are welcome to participate and to decorate their floats to portray a well-known holiday tune. The parade line-up is at 5:30 p.m. at Lions Park and the route ends at the firehouse. The three best floats will be awarded monetary prizes up to $100.

Santa Claus will ride into the village at the end of the parade and set up shop in the firehouse to pass out gifts and candy canes to all children.