It's been almost two years since the train derailment in East Palestine that sent shockwaves throughout the community. The winter season still carries a shadow of the 2023 train derailment.

But the holidays bring hope, with the village using a tree lighting, ornament fundraiser and other festivities to help drive downtown business.

The “Brighten the Future” tree lighting and fundraiser took place during the annual East Palestine Snowflake Festival. 

Downtown businesses came together for the festivities.

“We have a DJ that's playing Christmas carols, we have our horse drawn carriage that takes you through part of town. We have our businesses that are offering all kinds of sales and promotions. We have a kids activity zone,” said Roberta Brittain, president of the East Palestine Area Chamber of Commerce.

Festivities, like breakfast with Santa, took place throughout the day in East Palestine. The events ended with a tree lighting put on by the East Palestine Community Improvement Corporation.

During the festival, ornaments were for sale for $25 as part of the “Brighten the Future” fundraiser. People also bought raffle tickets. Half of the money raised will go to the East Palestine City Schools. The rest of the money will help downtown recovery after the train derailment.

“Our traffic downtown was slowed. People weren't visiting us as much as they were. This revitalization is to bring people back into our community. Let them know we're in good shape. We want to see them and things are always getting better here,” said Tom Brittain, Vice President of the Village of East Palestine Community Improvement Corporation. 

The East Palestine CIC started in June. The group is coming up with a plan to grow downtown.

“We’re going to try to continue to raise money throughout our existence. That might be 10, 20 years. But the idea is the more we have to work with, the more we can accomplish,” said Tom Brittain.

Other groups showed support for the group's vision.

“We are in constant companionship with the other local organizations. For the CIC and a project that they are doing, the East Palestine Rotary Club has been excited to be able to donate $25,000 towards the project,” said Kerri Stewart, Secretary of the East Palestine Rotary Club.

The Snowflake Festival has been an East Palestine tradition for five years, and helps bring business to the downtown.

“This is the actual time of year where we get to enjoy meeting with the customers, having more interaction with the community, it's great to see people out and about on the sidewalks,” said Melissa Smith, Owner of 1820 Candle Company in downtown East Palestine.

Members of the CIC are hoping their plans will bring more people and businesses to the downtown.