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Light it up!
Flip the Switch event set for Saturday
Flip the Switch.jpg
Decorating ahead of Flip the Switch is in full swing, including the festive styling of Santa’s House. The Urban Forestry Department oversees the placement of lights for the event and estimates it uses approximately 100,000 lights each year. Pictured is John Austin of the Urban Forestry Department placing some finishing touches on the ceiling inside Santa’s House. - photo by Nikki Childers

Downtown McMinnville is about to get more festive with the return of an annual event.

Flip the Switch is set for this Saturday, Nov. 25. The Christmas-flavored fun will begin at 5 p.m. on the Grassy Lot with a short ceremony as Mayor Ryle Chastain and family turn on the Christmas lights for the season. Following the lighting, Journey’s Movement and Dance will perform for the audience and carriages drawn by mules will be available for rides around the square.

This ceremony is a yearly staple as it turns downtown McMinnville into a festive wonderland of lights painstakingly placed by the Urban Forestry Department. Each night for the duration of the Christmas season, the lights will be turned on at dusk following Flip the Switch. A Christmas tree, placed and decorated by the City of McMinnville, will not be included in this particular event, but will be lit during Junior Auxiliary’s Christmas in the Park on Dec. 5.

“My favorite part of the event is having everyone come out for turning on the lights,” said Main Street McMinnville Executive Director Jennifer Flatt Meredith. “It’s just pure excitement and fun. We have so many people who enjoy downtown and we’re pleased to offer the carriages and Santa’s House this year.”

Santa’s House, the shed placed on the square and donated by U.S. Barn Builders, will be Mrs. Claus’s home base for the evening during Flip the Switch. She will be reading books to children and allowing them to decorate ornaments. Throughout the season, the shed will offer various activities and photo opportunities for guests.

Carriage rides will begin lining up at the McMinnville-Warren County Chamber of Commerce building and follow Main St. past Begonias before looping around to come back to the square. Rides are free and will be available from 6 to 8 p.m.

McMinnville on Ice will return to kick off its second season at 6 p.m. during the event with gates closing at 8 p.m. Skating on the synthetic ice rink is $5 for a 45-minute session.

“We are so appreciative of the Tourism Development Board and Security Federal for partnering with us to make this event possible,” said Meredith. “All of us are looking forward to seeing everyone coming out and sharing an evening of Christmas cheer with us.”