Downtown Piqua is set to dazzle the community with a brand-new festive look this holiday season, thanks to the collaborative efforts of Mainstreet Piqua and the City of Piqua. A grand illumination event, just before the Holiday Horse Parade, promises to be a highlight of the season.
City of Piqua workers have diligently worked over the past weeks, adorning the trees in the square with the new holiday lights. Paul Heintz, President of the Mainstreet Piqua Board, expressed gratitude, stating, “We are so thankful to the City of Piqua for partnering with us on this very important community project.”
The plan to invest in the updated look for the square was spearheaded by a committee led by Dr. Jim and Cheryl Burkhardt. Committee members included Michelle Perry, Barbara Schmidlapp, Kyle Magoteaux, Spencer and Megan Peltier, Beth Kazer, Cathy Oda, Steve Schmidlapp, Chrissy Gary, Jim Roth and Greg Blankenship. City representatives included Paul Oberdorfer and Chris Schmiesing. The group has been meeting since late January.
The new lights were paid for by donations from individuals, families and businesses to Friends of Mainstreet Piqua and the Mainstreet Piqua beautification committee. “This project has been a true collaboration between the public and private sectors.” Said Jim and Cheryl Burkhardt. “The city has provided many hours of labor to decorate the square for the community and we are so thankful for their extraordinary commitment. Huge thanks also goes to the many families and individuals who supported this project with their donations.”
The square decorations will include new tree lights and lighted trunk wraps as well as a large lighted star sculpture east of the gazebo that will provide a stunning backdrop for family photos and selfies.
The grand illumination of the square will be Saturday, November 11 at 6:30 p.m. prior to the Downtown Piqua Holiday Parade, which will begin at 7 p.m. Visitors to downtown will want to come back to see the gazebo fully decorated with lights, real greenery and wreaths just in time for Christmas on the Green on December 1.
