ASHLAND - Due to the predicted snowstorm on Saturday, the Old Fashioned Christmas celebration has been canceled.
This would have been the 10th annual event, which is sponsored by Ashland Downtown Inc. revitalization group. The three-hour downtown program at the Ashland Mini Park at Fifth and Centre streets usually includes horse-drawn carriage rides, a live Nativity scene, caroling, musical performances and a visit from Santa Claus.
ADI Vice President Bill Farley said the decision was made for safety reasons.
"Due to the inclement weather, we're canceling Old Fashioned Christmas, which would have been Saturday from 5 to 8 p.m.," Farley said. "The centerpiece of Old Fashioned Christmas is the horse-drawn carriage ride. They'll have a problem getting here. And even if they get here and we have a couple of inches of snow, it's going to be very dangerous going along Centre Street. We just thought it would be better to cancel it now and let people know."
This is the first time the event has been canceled for any reason.
"I'm sure it won't be the last time," Farley said. "This is something that you have to live with in having an outdoor event in the middle of December."
Farley said there is no backup date due to scheduling.
"There are just too many things that you have to coordinate in such a short period of time," he said. "It's a one-night affair and we just couldn't pull it off this year."