By Jenny Callison
Enquirer contributor

Sonny Kramer and Deborah Reddish work on the Nyla's Flowers float. (Ernest Coleman photo) | ZOOM |

WEST CHESTER TWP. - This year's Olde West Chester Christmas Walk will leave a bigger footprint.

The pre-holiday event, which begins today, offers a few new activities along with old favorites. Organizers say such events help neighbors to get acquainted.

"Every year we get more and more people," said Andrea Bolton , manager of Kil'n Time, a paint-your-own-pottery studio and cafe on the Cincinnati-Dayton "walk" site.

This year, 28 businesses, churches and organizations will have the greens and mistletoe ready to welcome visitors during the three-day festival. Many plan special activities or promotional events.

IF YOU GO

What: Olde West Chester Christmas Walk When: 5-10 p.m. today; 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday and noon to 6 p.m. Sunday Where: Cincinnati-Dayton Road in Olde West Chester. Information: www.OldWestChesterOhio.com

GIVING TREE

The Southeastern Butler County Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring its annual Giving Tree, designed to benefit children of families served by Reach Out Lakota. Each of the 100 ornaments on the tree is matched with a needy child, said chamber Vice President Kerry Murray. "Each ornament has a tag on it with information about the child's age and gender," she said. "People can select an ornament and then purchase a stocking stuffer for that child and bring it back in to us to distribute. The limit per child is $10." The chamber office, at 8945 Brookside Ave. (at Cincinnati-Dayton Road), will be open this evening during festival hours, and people are welcome to come in and select an ornament. Information: 777-3600.

Then there's the parade, a walk-within-the-Walk. Now in its fourth year, it has grown more whimsical.

"Someone had this brilliant idea four years ago: `Why don't we have a nighttime parade?' said Mary Raffel, township director of education and activities. "Just a few people came. Now it draws thousands of people, and we've got Santa and Mrs. Claus on a firetruck, the Scouts, the VFW, the police. It gets bigger and more exciting every year."

Since there is little outdoor lighting, each parade participant must be self-illuminated. "People get battery light kits and wear them in their costumes," Ms. Raffel said.

Last year, floats were added to the parade.

This evening's activities include the St. John's Chill-eeee Dinner, the community Christmas tree lighting, and a pajama party under the tent with games and Christmas movies.

Saturday begins with the West Chester Presbyterian Cookie Walk and concludes with the 7 p.m. parade and Santa visits. Specialty shops are open during festival hours.