Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
LEESBURG - Longing for an old-fashioned, small-town Christmas celebration? Take a trip north of Warsaw on Saturday for the Leesburg Candleria.
This is the 12th year for the candleria, which is described by co-organizer Sue Charlton as a community effort. "It's a holiday greeting for people to visit the town and its residents," she said.
Two thousand candles will line the streets of Leesburg on Saturday. Leesburg Elementary students prepared the "candle holders," folding down grocery sacks to make them sturdy. Plastic containers filled with sand will be inserted into each sack to hold the candles.
Volunteers will begin setting the candles out about 3 p.m., but that's just the beginning of the festivities. The school choir will sing at the town hall at 6:30 p.m. Santa will entertain youngsters with wish lists at the town hall from 6:45 to 7:45 p.m.
Shortly before 7 p.m., carolers will make their way from the town hall to the school, where an open house is planned until 8 p.m. Cookies and hot chocolate will be served.
If it rains, all activities will be held at the school.
Charlton is hoping for a little precipitation - the white, fluffy kind - to enhance the effect of the candleria. "It's really pretty with snow," she said.
Those helping set out the candles may pick up supplies at the town hall.
The Leesburg Candleria is sponsored by the Plain Township Fire Department; the Kosciusko County Convention and Visitors Bureau; and organizations, businesses and residents of Leesburg.
