PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT
SPECIAL EVENTS

SUMMER IN SYCAMORE PARK

Breakfast with the Bunny

The Twigs #165 and the Parks and Recreation Department combine for this project, which benefits Children's Hospital. It is held the Saturday morning before Easter in the Pickerington Central High School's commons. Besides breakfast, attendees can participate in crafts, games and interact with the Easter Bunny. Parents should bring cameras. Tickets are sold by the Parks and Recreation Department.

Arbor Day Celebration

In the middle of April, join the Parks and Recreation Department to celebrate Arbor Day. A tree is planted each year for Arbor Day and the City has received the Tree City USA award for several years in a row.  Enjoy music by the Pickerington Community Chorus, color guard presented by the Boy Scouts, meet the winners of the 3rd Grade essay contest, hear the history of Arbor Day and Tree City USA award and enjoy light refreshments.  Look for additional information in the Spring Program Guide or call the Recreation Department at 614-833-2221.

PickeringtonKidz Festival

In late spring the Annual PickeringtonKidz Festival is held at Victory Park. Pickerington Parks and Recreation Department and PickeringtonKidz.com sponsor the event. The event is geared toward toddlers through sixth-graders and features kid-related vendors, food, fun activities, inflatables, games, give-aways, and performances by several kids groups. It is a FREE event. Questions about the festival can be directed to Lenni Male at 614-204-8273, visit the website at www.pickeringtonkidz.com, or call the Recreation Department, 614-833-2211.

July 4th Celebration

The Pickerington Independence Day Celebration is held on July 4th in Victory Park. A number of children's rides and a large variety of food and refreshment booths open at 4:00 pm.  The annual parade, with over 100 entrants, move along Lockville Road, Columbus Street, and Hill Road at 6:00 pm, followed by ceremonies in the park at 7:30 pm. Entertainment is then featured, leading up to an impressive fireworks display at 10:00 pm. The Parks and Recreation Department supervises the activity.

Youth Fishing Derby

The Parks and Recreation Department has a Pickerington Youth Fishing Derby each year at the Sycamore Park pond, at the end of Hereford Drive.  Prizes are offered in four age groups for most fish and biggest fish caught.  The age groups are 8 and under, 9 & 10, 11 & 12, and 13 & 14 years old.  There is no entry fee although registration is required.  Participants can register through the Recreation Department at 614-833-2211.  The Tournament Director is Brian Arnold, who won several of the derbies years ago

Haunted Village

The Haunted Village is the annual Halloween event in Olde Pickerington Village. It is held the night before Halloween or the Thursday before if it falls on the weekend. The entire range of activities featuring ghost tours, hayrides, story-telling, booths, food, trick-or-treating with the merchants, haunted museum, haunted house, haunted garden, hayrides, and a kids craft booth occurs on Columbus Street in Olde Pickerington Village.  The ghost stories are based on historical facts, and will be presented in the locations where the pertinent events actually occurred.  All venues are free that night, except for food.  The Olde Pickerington Village Business Association, The Rock Factory, and the Lions Club partner with the Recreation Department in putting on the event.

Tots Trick-or-Treat

The Parks and Recreation Department sponsors Tots Trick-or-Treat at City Hall.  Children ages 2-5 years old must be accompanied by a parent and wear costumes as they trick-or-treat through the decorated City Hall, 100 Lockville Road.  Pickerington Police, Fairfield County Sheriff and Violet Township Fire Department display safety vehicles in the City Hall parking lot that afternoon for children to view.  Watch for information in the Fall Program Guide.

Letters to Santa

Letters to the North Pole can be dropped off at the mailbox located outside City Hall each December. Children who drop off letters will received an answer from Santa Claus or his helpers. Please remember to include the child's name and a return address in order to received a response.

Olde Village Holiday Gathering

Held in the Olde Village on the first Friday night in December, the event is highlighted by open shops, games for children, carriage rides, luminaries, carolers, the lighting of the City's Christmas tree, a village decoration contest, and a special appearance by Santa Claus. The Parks and Recreation Department partners with the Olde Pickerington Village Business Association in sponsoring the festivities.

Mitten Tree

The winter items for needy families are picked up for distribution by the Job and Family Services of Fairfield County in early December. The items are generated by the Dorothy Steiger Mitten Tree at City Hall as well as from community contributions. The City of Pickerington is grateful for all the donations and support from the community.

Breakfast with Santa

This special holiday event occurs on the first Saturday morning in December at the Senior Center on Hereford Drive from 8:00 am until noon. All proceeds go to the Senior Center, which co-sponsors the event with the Parks and Recreation Department. A breakfast meal is featured, as are Christmas music, a craft table for children, a Secret Santa shop, a bake sale, and interaction with Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus. Tickets for the activity are only available through the Parks and Recreation Department.