This morning (Monday, December 8), the City of Hartford and Ohio County Emergency Management held a direct briefing with the National Weather Service regarding the arctic air mass expected to impact our region this Friday through Sunday. During this conversation, the NWS was firm and confident in its assessment: Friday night low of 12 degrees with a Saturday, Dec. 13 high struggling to reach the mid-20s. The NWS anticipates mid-day wind chills to be approximately 13 degrees. Thus, the NWS recommends that all outdoor events be canceled for safety concerns.
While we were looking forward to hosting this weekend’s event, we cannot in good conscience ask our vendors, volunteers, or community members to endure such extreme cold. Additionally, we anticipate a significant drop in attendance due to these conditions.
Although weather can shift, the NWS has expressed increasing confidence in this forecast. Out of respect for our vendors and to help minimize their potential losses, we felt it was important to make this decision as early as reasonable.
Cookie Crawl
Locally businesses throughout Ohio County will be participating in a Cookie Crawl. For $10, you can purchase a box which allows you to gather cookies from numerous businesses. The proceeds support Happy Feet of Ohio County. The Cookie Crawl will be on Saturday, December 13 and can be enjoyed while visiting local businesses (inside, where it’s warm). Boxes are available for purchase at Soreheads Gifts & Sundries until Thursday, December 11 to allow bakers time to supply you with the right amount of delicious treats! Follow Soreheads Gifts & Sundries on Facebook for more details.
Light Up Christmas Contest Still Open!
Even though this weekend’s event is canceled, our Light Up Hartford Christmas Contest is still happening! We encourage everyone to participate and help spread holiday cheer throughout our community. Registration is still open and a list of participating homes and businesses will be shared on December 21!
📅 Deadline to sign up: Dec. 20, 2025
🔗 Sign up here: https://forms.gle/zn6wwA8Bobec97BaA
We appreciate the community’s understanding and continued support. Stay warm and safe!