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This weekend, the city of Wilmore and Asbury University are hosting multiple events celebrating the holiday season. The following events are free to attend and open to the public. You don’t need to be a Wilmore resident to participate.

Songs of The Season Concert

President Kevin Brown of Asbury University provides a seasonal concert inspired by the Advent and Christmas holidays each year. This event will take place on Friday, December 2, at 7:30 p.m. in the Hughes Auditorium at 1 Macklem Drive.

The concert is a collaboration between the university’s Music and English departments, featuring a blend of songs, poetry, and prose performances.

The event will also be streamed online at Asbury.edu/Christmas. In-person, the event is first come, first seat. Parking is available around Asbury, labeled with signage.

Equine Christmas “Deck The Stalls”

“Deck The Stalls” is hosted annually by Asbury University as their Christmas open house. It will take place on Saturday, December 3, from 1:30 to 4 p.m. at the Asbury University Equine Center on 740 Shanty Hill Road in Wilmore.

The pony rides, according to Equine Director and Wilmore Mayor Harold Rainwater, are the star of the show. “

We have hundreds and hundreds of kids that come for that. So that’s the big thing,” he said

In addition to pony rides, there will be around 10 horse stalls decorated by student organizations to be voted on by attendees. Rainwater said that some will even have horses as part of the stall.

The winner will receive $50. A nativity scene will take up one stall and will not be a part of the competition.

Asbury will provide craft stations with activities like horseshoe painting and cookies and hot chocolate refreshments. Parking is available at the Equine Center.

Wilmore Old Fashion Christmas

The Wilmore Old Fashion Christmas is an all-day event that Wilmore has organized for 34 years.

It will take place on Saturday, December 3, starting at the Wilmore Municipal Building at 210 S Lexington Avenue. Hosted by a philanthropic organization, the Lion’s Club, a pancake breakfast at the Municipal Building will start the day. This breakfast will be hosted from 8 to 10 a.m., costing $5 and $2 for small kids.

Also, 58 vendors selling different Christmas wares in the municipal building will be available throughout the assembly halls and hallways starting at 10 a.m.

From 2 to 5 p.m., a train will run from the municipal building to the old city hall. Train rides will coincide with the open houses in 10 downtown businesses. Mayor Rainwater says these stores will offer cookies, hot chocolate, and Christmas carolers on Main Street. In addition, IGA will give out free ham biscuits at IGA from 6 to 7:30 p.m.

At 5:30 p.m., there will be a Christmas tree lighting on Main Street next to Med Save. All day, attendees will smell burgoo stewing in giant pots over an open fire. Burgoo is a beef stew. This one will include chicken, pork, beef, potatoes, and many different vegetables. In the evening, everyone in attendance can receive one free cup.

Several combined choirs will perform at the Wilmore United Methodist Church for the event’s grand finale. It will begin at 8 p.m. at 209 E Main Street.