Story & Photos By RYAN DICK
BG Independent Correspondent
During the midst of a pandemic, the Village of Luckey took a unique approach to celebrate the holidays.
On Saturday, Luckey held its fourth annual Christmas in the Village. The festival hosted food trucks, holiday craft vendors, outdoor scavenger hunts and the chance to meet Santa.
“We wanted to still be able to provide some sort of activity to celebrate the season,” Mayor Cory Panning said. “It’s a good way to get out of the house.”
This year, the festival was without the Eastwood Band, a lighted parade and a live nativity scene due to COVID-19 precautions. However, the missing features have not gone unnoticed. “It’s disappointing because we can’t have a live nativity scene like we’ve had in the past,” local resident Brenda Schnitker said. “But you have to live within your means.”
For kids, telling Santa what they want for Christmas this year was also impacted, but the Village made sure their list was still received. The festival featured a drive-thru Santa, which allowed kids to meet Santa and hand deliver their Christmas list from the car.
The festival also marked the last day for the Luckey Police Department’s annual toy drive. According to Police Chief Randy Bielinski, this year has raised more donations than normal. “[In the past] I’ve been able to pack two police cars full, but obviously this is not going to fit two police cars,” he said.
“It’s a good problem to have.”
Panning estimated the toy drive received over 500 donations to be delivered to the Wood County Department of Jobs and Family Services.
To end the night, Santa traveled through every street in the Village, escorted by the Troy Township Fire and EMS Department and the Luckey Police Department.
