Cedars, December 2018

400,000 lights.” Centrally located downtown, this sea- sonal spectacle is just across High Street from the Lazarus Building Christmas win- dow displays. Down the block is the Ohio Statehouse, which also decorates for Christ- mas, and the Ohio Theater, which hosts a variety of holiday performances from The Nutcracker to John Legend. Only a few blocks further is the Scioto Mile, a waterfront system of parks and paths including a 15,000 square foot interactive fountain and one of the country’s largest free outdoor climbing walls. At Christmastime, the entire stretch is lit by hundreds of thou- sands of dazzling lights from dusk to 11 p.m., beautifully reflected in the Scioto River. Light Up Middletown | Donation If you’re not bold enough to venture outside in the blistering Ohio winds, this is the option for you. Light Up Middletown is a driving tour through a 100-acre park in Middletown, Ohio, about an hour away from Cedarville. Visitors enter through a sparkling tun- nel of lights to explore more than 90 dis- plays, from the floating sea serpent in the reflective lake to the herd of deer leaping across the roadway, all synchronized to mu- sic on a local radio station. The entire ex- perience is produced by a crew of over two dozen volunteers called the Grandpa Gang, who work tirelessly from October onward to produce the experience. Light Up Middletown is open now until December 31 from 6-10 p.m. All entry do- nations go toward paying for electricity and purchasing new lights and setpieces for the following year. Woodland Lights | $8 This half-mile wooded trail takes visi- tors down a winding path through glittering trees and classical displays, culminating with a cozy log cabin where Santa sits beside a crackling fire in the hearth. After warming up, visitors can head back outside to take part in the small amusement rides and visit the live deer and silver fox. Warm conces- sions are available near a roaring bonfire, and nostalgic carriage rides take visitors into the deeper areas of the park. Sam’s Holiday Central in the A-frame on the property hosts performance groups, including a cappella chorales and saxo- phone groups, and shows holiday films. Costumed characters, including the Grinch, Buddy the Elf and Olaf, also make appear- ances. The trail is open from 6-9 p.m., and the nightly performance schedule is avail- able on the Washington Township website. Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden | $13-19 While slightly more expensive than oth- er options, the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Gardens’ PNC Festival of Lights is more than just a light show. In addition to the three million lights and 22 larger-than-life animal lanterns distributed throughout the park, visitors can visit cold-climate animals including polar bears, pandas, penguins, and of course, reindeer. The zoo hosts more than a dozen heated indoor exhibits as well, a welcome break from the cold. The BB&T Toyland Express Train lets visitors catch a glimpse of all the sights across the park before getting off at Swan Lake for the light and music show centered around the 21-foot Christmas tree. From Candy Cane Forest to Ginger- bread Village, the zoo is a holiday haven right in the heart of Cincinnati. Prices vary depending on anticipated crowds, so visi- tors are encouraged to check the zoo web- site before planning a visit. The park closes at 9 p.m. Sunday-Thursday, and 10 p.m. Friday-Saturday. Breanna Beers is a sophomore molecular and cellular biology major and the inter- im off-campus news editor for Cedars. She loves exercising curiosity, hiking new trails, and quoting The Princess Bride whether it’s relevant or not. December 2018 11 OFF CAMPUS Online M.B.A. M.S.N. M.Min. Residential M.Div. M.Min. Pharm.D. Ready to take the next step? We’ve created accelerated completion plans for 10 popular majors (with more on the way!) that allow you to complete your bachelor’s degree and an M.B.A. in as little as four years, saving you time and money. Interested in a different grad program? Talk to your advisor about customizing a plan just for you! Access the free, fast-track application just for Cedarville students: cedarville.edu/gradapply Photo by David Kauffmann Just a few miles down the road, Historic Clifton Mill’s annual Christmas display is a favorite of Cedarville students.