The Ohio Statehouse kicks off the holiday season with the Ohio Statehouse Holiday Festival and Open House at 5-7 p.m. Tuesday at Capitol Square.

The holiday season will officially open in Ohio with the 94th annual Statehouse Tree Lighting.

“The lighting of the Statehouse and two evergreen trees on the grounds with flood lights will be marked with the firing of a Civil War-era cannon,” said Gregg Dodd, deputy director for Ohio Communications, Marketing and Events. The lighting of Capitol Square will take place from 6 p.m.
The cannon will be fired by members of the 1st Ohio Light Artillery, Battery A, according to a press release from the Statehouse.

The Ohio Statehouse holiday kickoff event is a tradition that has been entertaining people and celebrating the holidays for 94 years.

“The focus of this year will be the indoor festival in the Statehouse Rotunda and Atrium, providing an evening of family-friendly activities,” Dodd said.

Some of the activities include a BalletMet costume display, COSI’s flying reindeer display, the LEGO Train Club model train display, a Mr. Etch A Sketch display and demonstration, a Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus photo station, and a reading of “The Nutcracker” by BalletMet.

“Through December, the Statehouse is decorated as it was in Victorian times. People could see what it would have been when the Statehouse was completed in 1861,” Dodd said. It provides an opportunity for people to step back in time with a guided tour of the old Statehouse and see holiday decorations as they were then.

“There [is] a lot to do and see,” Dodd said.

Visitors can see demonstrations and vignettes, including a performance of “Madeline’s Christmas Puppet” by Puppet Kind. The police and fire department will also be showing off its canine companions at the event.

There is plenty to listen to, including performances by Bexley High School Vocal Ensemble, The New World Singers of the Columbus Children’s Choir, Chapel Brass of the Salvation Army, and many other local choral groups.

The Ohio Statehouse is open from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays and from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekends. For complete hours, visit statehouse.state.oh.us. Admission is free.

The Ohio Statehouse Holiday Festival and Open House will be held inside the Capitol Square complex and Ohio Statehouse West Plaza and Rotunda downtown.