Holiday parade, events to usher in the season

Staff report

YOUNGSTOWN

Downtown Youngstown will usher in the holiday season Friday evening with family-friendly activities on Central Square – including caroling and food and holiday merchandise vendors – beginning at 4:30 p.m., and a parade along Federal Street at 6 p.m.

The Christmas tree lighting will take place at 7 p.m. on Central Square, and afterward, children can visit with Santa Claus and have their photograph taken.

This year, the decorative lighting, which uses 50,000 bulbs in Central Square, has been extended all down West Federal Street.

In addition to the parade and activities on Central Square, there will be a few other holiday-related events downtown and nearby Friday evening. These include:

vYoungstown Phantoms’ Ugly Sweater hockey game at Covelli Centre at 7:05 p.m. Guests who wear an ugly Christmas sweater will receive an ugly sweater drink koozy.

v“Memories of Christmas Past” holiday exhibition, noon to 4 p.m., Arms Family Museum, 648 Wick Ave.; go to memoriesofchristmaspast.com for ticket information.

vDueling Pianos free show at 7:30 p.m. at Suzie’s Dogs and Drafts, 34 N. Phelps St., presented by Youngstown State University’s Penguin Productions.

vOH Wow! Children’s Center for Science and Technology, 11 W. Federal St., will offer free admission.

vYoungstown Flea holiday flea market at the DeYor Performing Arts Center, 260 W. Federal St., from 4 to 8 p.m.

v“In the Spirit of Christmas” holiday play, 7:30 p.m. at Victorian Players Theater, 702 Mahoning Ave. Call 330-746-5455 for ticket information and reservations.

v“How the Drag Queen Stole Christmas,” 8 p.m., by Rust Belt Theater, at Calvin Center, 755 Mahoning Ave. Call 330-507-2358.

v“A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum” at 7:30 p.m. at Ford Theater, inside Bliss Hall on the Youngstown State University campus. Though not holiday-related, this musical is definitely light-hearted fun. Call 330-941-3105.