As a proud, lifelong Warren countian, it always rubs me the wrong way when I hear people disparaging McMinnville and saying there’s nothing to do here. That's simply not true at any point of the year and it’s especially not true during the holiday season. I’m particularly aware of the plethora of Christmas activities available locally because of our efforts to fit coverage of all the events into the limited number of pages available to us each issue. There's a lot going on and it's not hard to find an opportunity to get into the Christmas spirit. Here is a sampling of just some of the entertainment options available in Warren County.

First off, maybe the most noticeable thing is the brilliant Christmas display in downtown McMinnville courtesy of Hank Patton and his Urban Forestry Department team. I’ve heard from many out-of-towners who make special trips just to drive through downtown McMinnville at Christmas.  It’s easy to take things for granted when they’re in our backyard, but not many towns our size (or even larger cities) pour the kind of love into their Christmas displays the way the city of McMinnville does.

Standing on Main Street on a chilly December night makes you feel like you've been plopped into the middle of a Hallmark movie. Any rich big-city guys who are engaged to a McMinnville girl should be nervous about their fiance visiting home for Christmas. She might run into an old high-school acquaintance who does wood work. 

Excellent chances to really soak in the downtown decorations are coming up this weekend and next week. On Saturday at 2 p.m., the annual Christmas parade will make its way down Main Street. Junior Auxiliary of McMinnville's Christmas in the Park will take place in the magical Christmas setting downtown on Tuesday, Dec. 5 from 6 - 8 p.m. Additionally, McMinnville on Ice, the synthetic ice skating rink downtown, offers a chance to skate under the Christmas lights throughout the season. 

Christmas in the Village returns for its second year at the Warren County Fairgrounds tonight and tomorrow. I always embrace any chance to be at the fair or fair-adjacent, so Christmas in the Village is a fantastic addition to Warren County's Christmas celebration. The rustic Fairfield Village takes on an extra-festive look, decked out in lights and decorations. There will be activities, entertainment and Santa. Admission is free.

For a Christ-centered observation of Christmas, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints offers the McMinnville Nativity Festival from Dec. 8 from 5 - 8 p.m., Dec. 9 from 3 - 8 p.m. and Dec. 10 from 1 - 6 p.m. at   183 Underwood Rd.

The Park Theater has an impressive lineup of Christmas entertainment with country star Pam Tillis appearing next Friday, Dec. 8, a Christmas play featuring local children, "We All Grow Young at Christmas," on Dec. 9 and 10, a performance by the Warren County High School Band on Dec. 12 and  McMinnville tradition Hark at the Park on Dec. 15. 

I'm out of space and I've only scratched the surface of Warren County Christmas activities so, to paraphrase the Statler Brothers, don't tell me there's nothing to do. 

Standard Managing Editor Seth Wright can be reached at (931) 473-2191