The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office also is helping to increase security downtown.
In 2022, the parade was stopped after a gunshot was fired during an altercation that sent people running. Though many people at the Dayton Holiday Festival didn’t hear the gunfire, the sight of people fleeing resulted in a chaotic scene. No injuries were reported.
Malson said the department has learned from the incident.
“We’ve adjusted our staffing because of the event that happened two years ago,” he said. “We’ve increased our surveillance and other technologies downtown through different systems. … We’ve taken the steps we believe are best to ensure that it’s safe for everybody.”
Malson noted gunfire isn’t typically what police are used to responding to during the holiday festival.
“Most of what we really deal with is lost children and medical issues,” he said.
Parents of older kids should agree to a meeting spot if they get separated. Those with younger children will want to pay extra attention to make sure they don’t wander off.
“It’s real easy in a crowd for you to just turn around and all of a sudden your kid that was right next to you is now lost in the crowd,” Malson said.
With highs expected around 32 degrees Friday, people also should bundle up — especially if they plan on attending the entire festival — and make plans to find ways to warm up.
The Dayton Holiday Festival starts at 3 p.m. at Courthouse Square near West Third and Main streets.
The celebration includes live entertainment, a street fair, horse-drawn wagon rides, crafts, face painting and more. The Grand Illumination Tree Lighting is at 7 p.m., followed by the Dayton Children’s Parade Spectacular in Lights.
The city is anticipating a large crowd, so Malson asked motorists to be patient when dealing with additional downtown traffic.
“Just calm down, take your time,” he said. “You know, everybody’s trying to get in and enjoy themselves, and then at the end, everybody’s trying to get home. It’s going to be crowded for a little bit.”
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