Staff photo / Chris McBride Santa Claus, Mrs. Claus and the Grinch wave to the crowd as their float lights up the Hometown Holidays Celebration in downtown Warren on Saturday evening. The annual event featured a parade, ice sculptures and the lighting of the Courthouse Square Christmas tree.

Santa Claus, Mrs. Claus and the Grinch wave to the crowd as their float lights up the Hometown Holidays Celebration in downtown Warren on Saturday evening. The annual event featured a parade, ice sculptures and the lighting of the Courthouse Square Christmas tree.[/caption]WARREN — A cold December evening couldn’t dampen the festive spirit in downtown Warren Saturday as the fourth annual Hometown Holidays celebration turned the city into a storybook holiday setting.

Courthouse Square drew a crowd as people huddled together for a light show. Families braved through a winter weather advisory to also enjoy Santa meet and greets, horse drawn carriage rides, live music and the annual tree lighting at the Courthouse Square gazebo.

For Angela Russo, 36, of Warren, attending with her two children has become a family tradition. “We came out bundled up because we just love Christmas,” Russo said, sporting a festive sweater strung with blinking light bulbs.

“The parade was fantastic, and the kids couldn’t wait to see Santa and the Grinch. We go to all the light shows and holiday events we can find, it’s just our favorite time of year.”

Her 7-year-old daughter, Sofia, beamed as she shared her favorite moments from the evening. “I got to see the Grinch, it was so funny because he pretended to steal candy!” she said. “I loved the big lights on the courthouse, and the hot chocolate was the best, it made my hands warm.”

Warren G. Harding High School’s marching band and choir performed holiday favorites.

A number of downtown businesses opened their doors, offering treats and activities to keep the holiday magic alive.

717 Credit Union staff handed out free cups of hot cocoa and cookies. Nearby, the Wean Foundation transformed their space into a mini-theater, showing holiday favorites that offered a break from the chilly air.

The Kinsman House offered children a chance to decorate ornaments and cookies, while the Best Western hosted families for face painting and a live performance by Mark the Magician. Just down the block, First Presbyterian Church provided a break from the weather with warming stations, where children could write letters to Santa. The Salvation Army joined the festivities with their own cocoa station.

Rachel Dunn, vice president of the Fine Arts Council of Trumbull County, reflected on the growth of the Hometown Holidays Celebration in its fourth year.

“It’s really become something special for the community,” Dunn said. “It’s more than just the tree lighting, it’s about celebrating downtown Warren as a safe, vibrant place to gather and support local businesses.”

Looking ahead, Dunn expressed her hopes for future events. “We’d love to have more marching bands in the parade and even more businesses joining in,” she said. “Events like this remind people of the great community we have here.”

The Hometown Holidays celebration is a collaborative effort between the Fine Arts Council, the Trumbull County Historical Society, the Rotary Club, and the Warren-Trumbull County Public Library.

Planning for next year’s festivities is already underway.