Dixon decked out for Christmas Walk

DIXON – The trimming is set.

Garland is strung between street lamps in the downtown and holiday tunes play through loudspeakers.

The Christmas tree in front of KSB Hospital is covered by a netting embedded with tiny lights – just waiting for the ceremony at 5 o’clock Friday evening when it will be officially lit.

Discover Dixon is presenting its annual Christmas Walk – when the businesses lining the downtown corridor will be open for shopping and other holiday festivities.

There are activities planned for the Riverfront, in the 100 block of East First Street, the 100 to 300 blocks of West First Street and along Hennepin and Peoria Avenue.

Madrigal singers from Dixon High School will entertain shoppers. There are street performers and inflatables. Meanwhile the Grinch Parade invites people in festive holiday attire to join in the march – and perhaps win a prize.

Festivalgoers have a chance to ride in a horse-drawn wagon, take a free photo with Santa Claus or listen to the ringing tones of the United Methodist Bell Choir.

At discoverdixon.com there is a link to help parents arrange to get a letter from Santa.

Among some of the other activities:

Free hot chocolate (at several locations), snow ball toss, reindeer food, bake sale, Santa letters mailbox, caroling, funnel cakes, luminaries, pictures with the Grinch, chestnut roasting, Dixon Petunia Festival advance ticket sales, a blacksmith, Santa’s workshop, Dixon Municipal Band, caricature artist, magician, live piano music, Key Club gift wrapping and parent-teacher bake sale.