By Jenny Callison
Enquirer contributor

Pat Van Harlingen, the textile curator for the Warren County Historical Society, dresses a mannequin in a post-Civil War gown as the Glendower mansion is readied this week for its annual "Christmas at Glendower." (Michael Snyder photo) | ZOOM |

LEBANON - This community provides a final flourish to its bicentennial celebration with three holiday events this weekend.

On Saturday, teams of jingling horses star in Lebanon's annual Horse-Drawn Carriage Parade, which draws thousands of spectators downtown.

"A lot of people tell us that their holiday season begins when they come to the parade," said Wilma Grace, director of the Lebanon Chamber of Commerce.

According to event co-chair Joe Wilson, there will be plenty to see.

"We have 128 carriages in the parade this year; last year it was about 100," he said. "It seems that there's bigger crowds every year, and more people want to be in it."

IF YOU GO

What: Christmas Festival and Horse-Drawn Carriage Parade When: 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. Saturday Where: Parade begins at fairgrounds and comes south on Broadway, east on Mulberry, north on Cherry, west on Warren and north on Broadway. Information: 932-1100. What: Christmas at Glendower When: 1-8 p.m. Dec. 7-15 Where: Glendower State Memorial, 105 Cincinnati Ave. (U.S. 42) Admission: $3 adults, $1 children. Information: 932-1817. What: Holiday Historic Home Tour When: 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday Where: Six downtown homes Admission: $15, available in advance from Gerald Miller Co., 3 S. Broadway, or Good Housekeeping, 9 N. Broadway. Available Sunday at Gabriel Insurance, 3 N. Broadway. Information: 934-5661.

Saturday is also the first day of "Christmas at Glendower," when Lebanon's landmark Greek Revival mansion, decked in period decor, opens to the public for a seasonal open house. This year's decoration theme reflects two centuries of history in this city, which predates by one year the founding of its county and its state.

Sunday's special event is also a visit to Christmas past. The Holiday Historic Home Tour, sponsored by The Lebanon Conservancy Foundation, features six homes.

The parade of homes includes one, built in 1846, that was designed by the same architect as Glendower. Another is Glendower's neighbor, The Pillars, which is owned by conservancy foundation president Gerald Miller.

Lebanon's traditional holiday events have widespread appeal, said Ms. Grace.

"It's stepping back in time to that Norman Rockwell era when people were out on the streets and shops were twinkling," she said.

"Of course, our shops will be open and the train will be running. It's a full weekend."