First ‘Christmas in the Grove’ Event Is Friday Outside Osiris Shrine Temple
Eric Ayres Trending
The holidays are upon us, and in Wheeling, the neighborhood of Elm Grove is getting into the spirit by hosting its first official light up night and Christmas season kick-off celebration.
Christmas in the Grove will take place with activities beginning at 5 p.m. Friday outside the historic Osiris Shrine Temple at 1 Monument Place in Wheeling - located directly across Kruger Street from McDonald’s.
The Elm Grove Business Association and a number of local entities from the neighborhood have been working to make the inaugural event one to remember - and the entire community is welcome to come join in the fun.
Wheeling City Councilman Dave Palmer, who represents the Ward 6 neighborhood of Elm Grove, and Kristy Ferguson, president of the Elm Grove Business Association, were on hand at the Osiris Temple on Tuesday morning when an oversized evergreen from Washington, Pa., was delivered. Volunteers from Savage Construction used a huge crane to help erect the tree, and Wheeling city crews were on hand with a bucket truck to string the tree with lights and hang banners through the neighborhood’s main traffic arteries.
Palmer said Ferguson originally pitched the idea of holding a neighborhood holiday kick-off event. The Ward 6 councilman and representatives of several local organizations agreed that it would be great to have a celebration in the Friendly City’s westernmost neighborhood - not only for the residents of Elm Grove but also for anyone in the area who would like to come take part in the festivities.
"The Shriners were kind enough to let us use the Osiris Temple," Palmer said, adding that the community Christmas tree this year will be a big one - over 25 feet tall. "It’s the perfect site. It’s a centrally located section of Elm Grove near a busy intersection, and you’ll be able to see the tree from several different angles."
Ferguson said after last year’s success with community events like Groovin’ in the Grove and the Elm Grove Fall Fest, the idea of a Christmas celebration began to pick up traction, but it didn’t materialize in 2022. This year, however, with the help of Councilman Palmer and others, the event really came together.
"We really just want to show off that Elm Grove has a lot to offer," she said. "It’s a nice, quaint little community, and it’s important to bring people back together to be a community again."
During the celebration, the Mar-Win Church of the Nazarene will have a "make-and-take" activity for the children, and other Elm Grove area organizations will be participating, as well.
"We’ll start at 5 p.m. with the Elm Grove Elementary School Choir," Palmer said. "We have a local church (Elm Grove United Methodist Church) setting up a hot chocolate stand for the children, and there will be an appearance by what I’d like to call a ‘special Santa,’" Palmer said with a wink.
Santa will jingle and mingle with the children - but elves close to the main man in red indicated that the traditional lap-sitting and Christmas gift request sessions are technically not in his contract for this particular event.
Students will sing Christmas carols beginning at 5 p.m., Santa will arrive at around 5:30 p.m., and the tree lighting ceremony will take place at around 6 p.m. The festivities will conclude by 7 p.m.
The Elm Grove Business Association thanked and recognized Savage Construction, the Osiris Shrine, the Elm Grove Civics, the city of Wheeling, Mrs. A to Z Events & More, and Councilman Palmer for donating their time and resources to help make the first Christmas in the Grove possible.
"We’d love for everyone to attend - especially the people of Elm Grove," Palmer said. "But everyone is invited to come and share in the joy of Christmas with us.