CANFIELD — Rotary Club of Canfield’s annual Lighting of the Green has been rescheduled for Thursday, mainly because of the state football playoff.

“We knew people would want to support our Canfield High School football team as they battle for the state title on Friday,” Rotary member and Canfield Councilman Anthony Nacarato said.

There also is no school Friday for Canfield students, the district announced on its website, proclaiming “Good luck in the state championship!”

Nacarato said moving the lighting event to Thursday allows residents to travel to Canton for the game, and still gives a decent turnout for the Lighting of the Green.

The Thursday ceremony still is set to start at 6:30 p.m. It also will give people a chance to see the progress on the new gazebo.

Parks Garden Center donated a 10-foot tree that will be placed directly across from the gazebo, where the large rocks are. The tree will be the focal point for the ceremony.

Santa is expected to arrive at 7 p.m. by horse-drawn carriage. He will be ushered into Canfield Township Hall where he will greet children and get their wish lists for Christmas.

At 7:30 p.m., a combined Hilltop / C.H. Campbell Elementary performance will take place in the Canfield Methodist Church, 27 S. Broad St. A block away, at Canfield Christian Church, 123 S. Broad St., the Canfield High School Choir will perform.

Also open for tours that night will be the Mahoning Dispatch Museum and the War Veterans Museum, which will have trains running in the basement, including a Christmas express.

Carriage rides will be available around the Village Green that evening and refreshments will be available at the Piccadilly Parlour Victorian Tea House across the Village Green from the churches.