Things to Do for Christmas 2009 in Toledo, Ohio

This year during the Christmas 2009 season in Toledo, Ohio, visitors and residents can see the world famous country/gospel group the Oak Ridge Boys, the Nutcracker Ballet, Pop/Country performer Jim Brickman, and see more than one million lights at the annual Lights Before Christmas at the Toledo Zoo.

During the Lights Before Christmas, visitors can enjoy hot chocolate, more than 200 images of some of your favorite animals, carolers, and other holiday treats. In addition one can enjoy the Swanton Area Railroad model trains, visits with Santa through December 23, and if a visit is on a Thursday evening, ice carving demonstrations.

The 85 foot Spruce, behind the Conservatory, alone has more than 32,000 lights. In fact, it has more lights than the Christmas tree at Rockefeller Center in New York City!

Popular gifts and souvenirs can also be found in the North Star Trading Post gift shop.

A special treat, the Dancing Lights show, is back by popular demand. The state-of-the-art LED wide-angle mini lights are synchronized to popular holiday tunes. The show is repeated throughout the evening for the convenience of visitors.

The Lights Before Christmas is $10 for adults, $7 for seniors 60 and older, $7 for children from 2-11, and free for children younger than 2. There are special group rates.

Another event to celebrate Christmas 2009 in Toledo is the appearance of the Oak Ridge Boys. The Oak Ridge Boys were founded as a gospel group in 1945 and became popular in the 1950's. The group focused on gospel music until the mid 1970's when it began to focus more on country and pop music. Current singers include lead and second tenor Duane Allen, tenor Joe Bonsall, bass Richard Sterban, and baritone William Lee Golden.

Hits for the group included, Elvira, I'll be True to You, American Made, and Bobbie Sue. The group has recently returned to its gospel roots and has sung with the Gaither Homecoming.

The Oak Ridge Christmas Show will be at the Stranahan Theater on December 14 at 7:30 p.m. Ticket information can be found at 1-800-243-4667.

The Nutcracker Ballet is a world famous fairy tale ballet, and provides another way to celebrate Christmas 2009 in Toledo. The music was created by Tchaikovsky. In the ballet the heroine, Marie, has adventures with the toys and the Nutcracker. She ends up marrying the Nutcracker/Prince.

The Nutcracker Ballet by the Toledo Ballet will be at the Stranahan Theater December 12 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. and December 13 at 7 p.m.

Jim Brickman has had six albums that have obtained either gold or platinum status. He is known for his solo piano compositions, pop instrumentals, and collaborations with Donny Osmond, Martina McBride, Michael W. Smith, Olivia Newton John, and others. He has earned a Grammy nomination for Songwriter of the Year, a Canadian Country Music Award for Best Vocal/Instrumental Collaboration, and a Dove Award by the Gospel Music Association. His Faith CD has been nominated for a 2010 Grammy Award for New Age Album.

Jim Brickman will perform December 18 at 8 p.m. at the Stranahan Theater.

Citations: The Lights Before Christmas, no author listed, Toledozoo.org

The Oak Ridge Boys,no author listed, Wikipedia.org

The Nutcracker no author listed, Wikipedia.org

Upcoming Events at the Stranahan Theater, no author listed, Dotoledo.org

Jim Brickman, no author listed, Wikipedia.org