Santa, Jon Gray coming to town
The Chandler Area Chamber of Commerce announced the schedule for the town’s upcoming Christmas Parade and Tree Lighting Festival to take place on Dec. 2. Hometown hero Jon Gray, pitcher for the 2023 World Champion Texas Rangers, will be a special guest.
Gray will be in the parade and help with the lighting ceremony. Most of the festivities will kick off at 5 p.m. in downtown Chandler. There will be arts and crafts from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., along with face painting, a hot chocolate bar, downtown shopping at select retailers, vendor booths, photo ops, and more. A holiday market will take place at the Museum of Pioneer History from 12 p.m. to 9 p.m., while the Oklahoma Blood Institute Blood Drive will run from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
During the festival, there will be music by Opus Entertainment and a performance by the Chandler School choirs from 6:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. The parade will start at 7:30 p.m. Afterwards, there will be fireworks and the tree lighting, along with Chamber Bucks drawings on the courthouse patio. Santa Claus will also be available in the courthouse lobby after the parade.
The second annual Christmas Parade Sleigh Hunger Food Drive will also be happening from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. in coordination with the God and Peoples Pantry (GAPP). Everyone who brings a donation of food to the parade will receive a ticket for a chance to win a total of $1,000 in Chamber Bucks. First prize is $500, second is $300, and third is $200. Donations will be accepted at the GAPP Tent at 9th and Manvel as well as by the GAPP elves walking with the GAPP truck during the parade.