CHRISTMAS
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62^nd ANNUAL HOLIDAY PARADE
"Musical Notes & Holiday Floats"
Saturday, November 22, 2008, 10:00 a.m.

Musical Notes and Holiday Floats
Monday, November 24, 2008, C-T
C-T Photos/ Laura Schuler

CAPTION: Members of Brownie Troop 8162 perform a “Holiday Bop” for a large crowd near the reviewing stand along the parade route. The group won the Grand Marshal Trophy for their entry in the 62nd annual Holiday Parade.

While a large crowd of Chillicothe football fans traveled to Cassville, Mo., to watch the Hornets battle the Wildcats in the state semifinals Saturday, the 62nd annual Holiday Parade still managed to draw a huge crowd along the parade route, despite the chilly temperatures. Organizers say the 34-degree temperature and a brisk wind didn’t cool the holiday spirit of the large crowd that attended Saturday’s parade, which lasted nearly an hour-and-a-half. “I don’t think the weather kept anyone home, Natalie Bone, of the Chillicothe Area Chamber of Commerce said Monday. “It’s (the weather has) been a lot worse before,” she said.

The parade began shortly after 10 a.m., with the Chillicothe High School Marching Hornets and their longtime director, Dave Goodwin in the lead as the parade’s grand marshal. There were 106 entries, including nine school marching bands, in this year’s parade, which featured a theme of “Musical Notes and Holiday Floats,” and was sponsored by Hedrick Medical Center and Midwest Gloves & Gear.

The parade included floats, bands, vehicles, animals, favorite characters and mascots and, of course, Santa. Also making an appearance in the parade was the Kansas City Marching Falcons Drill Team, sponsored by Citizens Bank & Trust, and Missouri Western State University Gold Griffon’s Marching Drumline, sponsored by Investors National Bank.

The parade, organized by the Chillicothe Area Chamber of Commerce, began at Calhoun Street and continued south to Third Street, then east to Locust and north to Calhoun. The parade was announced live from a reviewing stand on the west side of the Livingston County courthouse by Bill Hayen, Mike Stone and Chillicothe Mayor Chuck Haney. Dave Rogers and Betty Preston announced for the live broadcast of the parade on 98.5 FM and 10.10 AM, KCHI and Time Warner Cable Channel 6.

During the Holiday Parade, the crowd was invited to take advantage of Main Street Chillicothe’s warming stations along the Washington Street parade route and enjoy a cup of hot cocoa for $1. All proceeds (an estimated $150) were earmarked for the downtown revitalization efforts of Main Street Chillicothe.

In this year's parade, cash awards were given to the first, second, and third place winners in the float division, judged by Kelly Poling and Bev Maupin. Entries were judged on use of theme, originality and appearance. Trophies were also awarded to the top three winners of the parade's band division which was judged by Bill Maupin, retired Chillicothe High School band instructor.

The Grand Marshall Trophy winner went to Brownie Troop No. 8162 for their "Holiday Bop" entry. Other awards went to: Morningside Center, first place; Springhill Go-Getters, second place; and Cub Scouts Troop 123 and 120, third place. They won $50, $25, and $10, respectively. The top winners of the band division were: Penney High School, Hamilton R-2, first place; Southwest R-I Marching Hornets, second place; and Bucklin R-@ High School, third place. Bone said awards were given to the top three float winners only to simplify the awards process this year. Entries in the business, not-for-profit and youth entries were judged this year. Vehicles and animal entries were not judged.

Holiday Weekend Kickoff
Monday, November 24, 2008, C-T
C-T Photos/ Catherine Stortz Ripley

CAPTION: The holiday magic of Jenkins Townhouse Christmas Village came alive when Santa made his first appearance of the season Friday evening to greet children and help turn on the holiday lights at the village. Members of the Mini-Choraliers from Central School provided entertainment for the event. After the lights were turned on at the village, the crowd was invited to take a tour of the village and meet Santa, Rudolph and Frosty. The crowd soon dissipated, though, because of windy weather and temperatures in the upper 20s. The village remains open to visitors throughout the holiday season.

CAPTION: Dylan Munson, 8, son of Melody and Chris Munson of Chillicothe was chosen to turn on the lights at Jenkins Townhouse Christmas Village Friday evening with some help from Santa Claus. Munson is a 3rd grade student in Billie McGraw's class at Field School.

Weekend Full of Holiday Activities
Friday, November 21, 2008, C-T

CAPTION: Alice Ferguson, a resident of Jenkins Townhouse, makes sure everything is ready for the annual lighting ceremony at its Christmas Village, 903 Bryan Street (just behind Hy-Vee Food Store) to take place at 6 p.m. tonight (Friday). Ferguson, now 50 years old, has lived at the home since she was 10 years old and has helped every year to transform the townhouse yard into a colorful Christmas village open to the public. Santa will be arriving tonight to help turn on the lights of the village and celebrate the start of the holiday season.

C-T Photo/ Catherine Stortz Ripley

A flurry of holiday activities will take place in Chillicothe this weekend and many events are planned to ring in the 2008 holiday season. The events start tonight (Friday) with the annual Jenkins Lighting Ceremony at 6 p.m. at Jenkins Townhouse Village, 903 Bryan Street (just behind Hy-Vee Food Store). Santa will be on hand at the ceremony to welcome children of all ages to the lighted wonderland, which is set up each year by the women at Jenkins Townhouse. One lucky child chosen from Field Elementary School will help Santa turn on the lights. The Mini-Choraliers from Central School will provide entertainment for the event and Mike Stone of KCHI will serve as master of ceremonies. Hy-Vee will also serve hot chocolate to those in attendance. After the lights are turned on at the village, the crowd is invited to take a tour of the lighted village and meet Santa, Rudolph and Frosty.

Tomorrow (Saturday) promises to be full of holiday spirit with the 62nd annual holiday parade being held on Washington Street beginning at 10 a.m. “Musical Notes and Holiday Floats” is the theme for the 62nd annual holiday parade and Hedrick Medical Center and Midwest Quality Gloves is sponsoring this popular community tradition. Dave Goodwin, longtime Chillicothe Marching Hornets band instructor, has been chosen as the grand marshal. The parade will include floats, bands, vehicles, animals, favorite characters and, of course, Santa. Also making an appearance in the parade will be the Kansas City Marching Falcons Drill Team, sponsored by Citizens Bank & Trust, and Missouri Western State University Gold Griffon’s Marching Drumline, sponsored by Investors National Bank. The parade is organized by the Chillicothe Area Chamber of Commerce with Pam Jarding as parade chairwoman.

During the Holiday Parade, Main Street Chillicothe will offer warming stations along the Washington Street parade route and selling hot cocoa for only $1 with all proceeds benefitting the downtown revitalization efforts of Main Street Chillicothe.

The annual Holiday Bazaar, sponsored by the Constitution-Tribune, will be held following the parade Saturday from 11:30 a.m. until 4 p.m. Around 100 booths are scheduled to participate with items ranging from holiday gift products to food vendors. During the Holiday Bazaar, the Dawn Sunrise 4-H Club will do face painting for children and the Young Farm Wives will have a food booth serving homemade desserts, chili and more. Bailey Studio will be on hand from 11:30 a.m. until 3 p.m. to take pictures with Santa. Packages start at $12.

Later in the afternoon, and back for the second year, Main Street Chillicothe presents the unique holiday shopping experience of Kids Christmas. With nine participating downtown merchants, children are given the opportunity of a one-stop shop for gifts for parents, grandparents, siblings and others. Open from 3:30-5:30 p.m., in the Livingston County Courthouse lobby with everything priced under $15! There will also be free card-making and gift wrapping.

Activities continue into the evening with horse drawn sleigh rides and the Community Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony. Come enjoy the $1 horse-drawn sleigh rides from 4 until 6 p.m., snap a picture with Santa Claus who is sure to be making his rounds and enjoy musical performances from several local groups. At 6 p.m., Chillicothe Mayor Chuck Haney along with a selected Field Elementary School student, will be flipping the ceremonial switch to the Community Christmas Tree.

Other events slated for Saturday include the Masonic Chili Luncheon at the Masonic Hall, from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. Tickets are $4 for adults and $2 for children under 12 years of age. Chili, vegetable soup and pie will be served. Bishop Hogan Memorial School will have its annual cookie bazaar and chili and soup luncheon following the parade on Saturday from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m.

Download our entry form here!
(81.5KB PDF Document)
Entry is free until November 3, 2008.

Sponsored by:

Grand Marshal Dave Goodwin - CHS Band Director	Pam Jarding Parade Chairperson 2008

Kids Christmas (3:30 pm - 5:30 pm) & Mayors Christmas Tree lighting (6 pm - 9 pm)

PRESS RELEASE

CHS Band Director Dave Goodwin to Lead Procession
Published: Wednesday, October 8, 2008, Constitution-Tribune

“Musical Notes and Holiday Floats” has been chosen as the theme for the 62nd annual holiday parade to be in downtown Chillicothe on Saturday, Nov. 22. Hedrick Medical Center will sponsor this popular community tradition that attracts hundreds of local and area residents and kicks off the local holiday shopping season. Dave Goodwin, longtime Chillicothe Marching Hornets band instructor, has been chosen as the grand marshal.

The parade will begin at 10 a.m. and includes floats, bands, vehicles, animals, favorite characters and, of course, Santa. The parade is organized by the Chillicothe Area Chamber of Commerce through its parade committee, co-chaired by Pam Jarding. They have been meeting regularly for the past few months. “Hedrick Medical Center is proud to cosponsor the annual holiday parade as part of their ongoing commitment to the Chamber of Commerce and local economic development,” Jarding said.

Entry forms are required for parade participation and may be obtained at Chillicothe Commerce Center, 514 Washington Street. Entries can be placed in either judged or non-judged categories. All participants are asked to decorate their parade entry. Cash prizes are awarded to the top three places in each judged category. The judged categories are business, youth organizations, and non-profit organizations. Entry is free if submitted by Nov. 3.

For more information, contact the chamber office at 660-646-4050 or email us.

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