German Village Christmas Walk celebrates 30 years
Unique Hamilton historic district put in the spotlight at event.
Guests will enjoy horse-drawn carriage rides, entertainment, and live reindeer as part of the annual German Village Christmas Walk from noon to 5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 5. This year’s all-outdoor event will include stops on porches, strolls and activities at venues throughout German Village.
It is a free, family friendly event.
“It’s going to be an all-outdoor event this year. There will be more decorations outside, and a lot of the different porches will be decorated,” said Ann Dennett, longtime chair of the German Village Christmas Walk.
The German Village Christmas Walk will offer a variety of holiday-themed festivities including food, crafts, horse-drawn carriage rides, strolling musicians, Santa, and reindeer. Plus, German Village will be decorated as part of the annual tradition. Guests can also purchase holiday gifts from crafters, who will be on display on porches throughout the walk. Kids will enjoy a magician, a face-painter, a caricature artist, and a balloon sculptor, among other fun activities.
Tweedles Mini Donuts will be on the patio at the William C. Wilks Carriage House and donuts will be available for purchase. There also will be grilled brats and German pretzels for sale. St. Julie Billiart Alter Rosary Society will host its annual bake sale from noon to 2:30 p.m.
Performers throughout the day will include The Cincinnati Christian Worship Choir and Linden Elementary School. Lane Public Library will host story times and have other activities available out in front of the building. One new business, lit*tle haus, a storytelling workshop and bookery, will be transformed into a
cuckoo clock for the walk.
“The walk was started in 1992. One of the biggest things that’s kept this going from the beginning are the donations from the community, including businesses, corporations, and individuals. It’s been pretty remarkable,” said Dennett, “The reason for the walk was to highlight Hamilton and the German Village, and for people to know what the German Village is about.”
In 2019, there were 27 stops, including tours of homes, businesses and the historical buildings, including the Lane Hooven House, St. Julie Billiart Catholic Parish, Wilks Insurance, Butler County Historical Museum, Lane Public Library, YWCA and the William C. Wilks Carriage House, among others. The first Christmas Walk had 13 stops. German Village is a nine square-block area that runs from Dayton Street to Hensel Place. Some of the buildings date back to the 1830’s.
“It’s going to be a little bit different format this year, and I’m intrigued to find out how it’s going to work. We have a lot of good things happening, and people are ready to get out and move around,” Dennett said.