Festivals
We honor our fallen veterans the last Monday in May @ 10:00 a.m. in our downtown Veterans Park. We have guest speakers, entertainment, and a memento of the occasion and light refreshments to commemorate the day.
The Freedom Festival is held July 4th in our recreational park located 570 Como Road. As you stroll or ride into the park the scrumptious smell of the food vendors beckons you over. The crowd relaxes in their lawn chairs or on quilts as they visit with friends and enjoy entertainment before the spectacular fireworks show under the stars!
November 11th. The McKenzie Special School District instills pride in our country to our students by hosting programs with Veteran guest speakers at various times throughout the school day. Veterans are invited to attend the programs and have lunch at the school.
This is a community event with various clubs and churches working together with the city for a Norman Rockwell event. Hometown Christmas begins with the Carroll Arts Christmas show at the Park Theatre on Thursday evening, then on Friday night the opening of Mistletoe Market. Saturday begins bright and early with Beta Sigma Phi’s Breakfast with Santa. Children love the experience of this special day with Santa, breakfast, photos or shopping in Santa’s Shoppe! Get your tickets for the Polar Express experience, fun crafts, ride the Christmas Express train. Stroll back down to Mistletoe Market where you may purchase crafts, jewelry, candies, you name it for a great shopping experience. Check out the pop up shops on the square, there are different experiences every year! Take a cozy carriage ride, let the children enjoy activities on Banner Row, then top off the day with the Big Jingle Christmas parade, the lighting of the Christmas tree and to end the evening enjoy some Firehouse chili! To check out all the activities, follow the city's Facebook page.
The 4th week-end of August immerse yourself in shopping, music and food with the Festival. Craft vendors will set up and be ready to offer some great buys throughout the evening Friday and all day Saturday. Friday night live music fills the air and begins again on Saturday.Saturday afternoon in the park..then later in the afternoon, the big stage sets up with more great music! Food vendors line the area with a variety of great smells floating through the air all weekend! This event continues to grow each year, adding days to become a week long affair.
Summer music event! Bring your lawn chairs & join us the first & third Thursdays of June- September featuring different genres of music throughout the season. Food vendors are on site as well, so no need to cook before you come…food is always better under the “stars” on Broadway!
Chase away the winter blues with a chocolate filled day the first Saturday of February! Downtown businesses treat you to different chocolate delights and vie for the roaming Chocolate Tour trophy. Tickets are sold in the participating businesses or city hall.
The last Thursday of October brings you this Big Old Fashioned Frighteningly Fun Family Event! The City and Bethel University coordinate this evening full of good eats, trunk or treating, riding the Haunted Train, costume contest, jumpers, Little Debbie cake walk, fun booths and you may even see the Headless Horseman riding through the back alleys around the town!
2nd week-end of November is all aglow with the introduction of Christmas decorating & purchasing ideas! Businesses open up on Friday evening, Saturday evening and again on Sunday afternoon to show you the latest designs in dress or home decorating for the holidays!