The Duneland community's Hometown Holiday Celebration begins this afternoon with free horse-drawn carriage rides through downtown Chesterton from 3-5pm, according to the Chesterton/Duneland Chamber of Commerce.  Rides will begin in the Duneland Chamber of Commerce parking lot (220 Broadway), and will be offered to the first 40 guests.  Each ride will last about 10-minutes, and couples will be asked to share rides.  Numbered slips will be given to those lining up beginning at 3pm.  Allyson Baughman, Director of Marketing for the Chamber says freshly made kettlecorn, hot chocolate and gourmetn hot dogs will beavailable for sale to those waiting for rides and the parade.

The Annual Twilight Christmas Parade will step from Chesterton Middle School at 5:30 pm, following the time-honored route along Broadway to Calumet Road and Porter Avenue, according to Baughman.  The Chesterton High School Pep Band and Chesterton Middle School cheerleaders will provide a holiday soundtrack and dance routine to accompany the more than 30 other parade entries, including historic fire trucks, martial arts performers, a walking nativity, holiday floats, marionette artists and more.  Baughman adds that Santa Clause will make a special appaearance as the Grand Finale of the parade.

The chamber requests that parents in the audience are asked to keep close watch on their young children, as drivers in the parade are unable to see in between vehicles in the dark.

Baughman says immediately following the parade, DUneland children and their families are encouraged to attend a free "Dave Herzog's Marionettes" show at the Library Service Center (100 W. Indiana Avenue).  Entitled, "Frosty's Winter Wonderland," the show will feature not only Santa Clause, but also Frosty the Snowman, Termite the Singing Christmas Tree, Jake the Juggleing Christmas PResent, Jack-in-the-Box, The Nutcracker on Skates, and JIngles the Elf on the Flying Trapeze.  Herzog, a full-time professional puppeteer specializing in the art of the marionette, performs 375 shows nationwide each year, in addition to creating his own hand-carved marionettes.

Baughman also says Santa Clause will be in his house on broadway in Thomas Centennial Park from 6pm-8:30pm.  Duneland children are invited to share their Christmas wishes with Santa during those hours.  Plus, each child will be gifted with a coloring book from STate Farm Insurance, a coupong from Applebee's Bar and Grill, and a candy cane.  Baughman adds that visitors are asked to bring canned vegetables to Santa for him to deliver to local families in need.

For more information about the Duneland community's Hometown Holiday Celebration, please contact the Duneland Chamber of Commerce at (219) 926-5513. 

Or log onto:  http://chestertonchamber.chambermaster.com/Events/details/hometown-holiday-celebration-kick-off-1082

   Free horse-drawn carriage rides!

Last years' Twilight Parade in downtown Chesterton.

Last years' Twilight Parade in downtown Chesterton.

Last years' Twilight Parade in downtown Chesterton.

(photos and article provided by Allyson Buaghman )

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