Festive LuminoCity event moves to December

by Kristin Wedemeyer Goss

Twinsburg’s deck-the-(city)hall light-up extravaganza and night of community fun known as LuminoCity includes two major changes for 2019.

The event – a holiday mainstay since 2014 and sponsored jointly by the city of Twinsburg, Twinsburg Township, village of Reminderville and Twinsburg Chamber of Commerce – has been moved from its long-standing weekend after Thanksgiving slot to Saturday, Dec. 7. The later date, according to Twinsburg Marketing Coordinator Ryan Kennedy, allows the city extra time to adequately staff the increasingly popular event, which draws up to 2,000 people, and for organizers to prepare for the newly added Light-Up Parade.

“For the first time, we’re inviting the community to be a major part of the event by creating their very own floats.” said Derek Schroeder, Twinsburg parks and recreation director. “Floats can be any type of vehicle or unit as long as it’s lighted and holiday themed. It can be a car covered in holidays lights, a truck with decorations in the flatbed or even a bicycle, wagon or stroller, motorcycle, golf cart, ATV or anything else you can dream up illuminated in a creative way.”

The idea for a community parade has been in the works for a few years.

“We’ve noticed more people coming with strollers and wagons decked out in lights, Twinsburg Township has been decorating vehicles for a few years, and Louie the Elf had his very own float last year too,” said Kennedy.

“Each year the event evolves with new features and gets better,’’ Schroeder said. “Planning starts months in advance to make sure it’s something the community can really look forward to, and we thought it was the right time to invite individuals, community groups and businesses to participate. This is something we’ve been looking forward to for quite some time, and we can’t wait to see the entries.”

The parade will start after the lighting ceremony and entertainment at City Hall, which again will be emceed by Louie the Elf and Peppermint Sparkles. The floats – with Louie and Peppermint in the lead – will make their way south on Ravenna Road to Township Square followed by LuminoCity attendees.

“Everyone’s encouraged to illuminate themselves with glow sticks, light up necklaces or anything you can think of to get in the spirit of the event,” said Kennedy. “It’s truly a unique celebration of the holidays.”

Once at the square, the floats will park for viewing and photos. Afterwards, community members can cast votes for their favorite floats in a people’s choice awards contest on the Twinsburg Parks and Recreation Facebook page.

The celebration will continue with more holiday music, the lighting of the Square and fireworks spectacular.

“LuminoCity is a special night that brings Twinsburg, Twinsburg Township and Reminderville together unlike any other event throughout the year. The sense of community pride is incredible,” said Kennedy. “It offers a unique twist on your traditional community lighting event. It’s completely focused on the lights and our elves, Louie and Peppermint Sparkles. With the lights, music, entertainment and fireworks, there’s something for everyone.”

LuminoCity starts at Twinsburg City Hall at 6 p.m., and the Light-Up parade begins at 6:30 p.m.

Featured image photo caption: Officials flip the switch on holiday lights at the Twinsburg Government Building and Twinsburg Township Square as part of the popular LuminoCity event. Now in its fifth year, LuminoCity will feature holiday-inspired floats in a parade along Ravenna Road. Photo courtesy of city of Twinsburg