Tickets for prizes will soon be available at local businesses as Gallatin prepares for one of its most popular annual community events B AChristmas Around the Square!@
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Christmas around the Square, scheduled Saturday, Nov. 19 and sponsored by the Dockery Park Board, features crafts, food items and holiday gifts from over 40 vendors, plus more.
From now until 5 p.m. Nov. 18 you can enter to win prizes to be drawn at the Nov. 19 event by placing your ticket(s) in cans located at Shopko, Casey’s, Dungy’s Market, Elbert’s Department Store, Dollar General, Frost Automotive, Corner Café, Mi-Mexico or Barton’s Hardware. Tickets can be obtained in conjunction with purchases at many local businesses. If you are not offered a ticket by the merchant, please ask for one. Be sure and put your name and phone number on the back of the ticket. Businesses will be giving only one ticket per purchase.
If your purchase was not made at one of the nine businesses which have a receptacle for the tickets, save your tickets and deposit into any of the receptacles in the businesses where they are located until Nov. 18 at 5 p.m.
Decorating Contest!
If you’re not already thinking about Christmas, it’s time to start if you’re interested in participating in the home/business decorating contest. You must have your decorations “glowing” by Nov. 19.
Drawing for prizes!
Tickets for prizes will be drawn throughout the day Nov. 19 from 10 a.m.–2 p.m. Winners’ names will be announced over the loud speaker, and the individual will be called as well. The winner will have two hours from the time called to pick up their prize. If not claimed within the two hours, the prize will be drawn for again.
Any prizes not claimed will be drawn for when the grand prizes are drawn. You can only win one smaller prize. Prizes are donated and range widely in variety and value. The person whose name is on the ticket MUST be the one to pick up the prize.
Santa Claus will draw out the winning tickets for the GRAND PRIZES immediately after the tree lighting ceremony at approximately 6 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 19. This year’s grand prizes, so far, are a harvest table made by Cory Teel, a GoodOne Patio Smoker, a bench made by Wayne McNeely, and a clock made by Max Hefley. Grand prize drawing winners must be present, and the prize must be picked up by the individual whose name is on the ticket. You can only win one grand prize.
Vendors & Craft Fair!
The drawing is only one part of the holiday fun slated from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Nov. 19.
The event features items from over 40 vendors from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at selected locations around town. The craft fair will unfold at the Senior Center Active Aging Resource Center, the Methodist Church, the Cupola Building, and the former Frazier’s West Side Café.
Christmas music will be played throughout the day on the square and in the buildings; strolling carolers will sing from noon to 2 p.m. A live nativity scene is planned for display on the empty lot across from the courthouse.
Free hot chocolate and cookies will be served from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the courthouse lawn.
This year there will be a cookie/candy/pie contest in the Times and Seasons Restaurant from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. Your entries will need to be inside the building by noon. Winners will be announced after the parade and tree lighting.
First and second place coloring contest winners will ride on a float in the parade.
Food Court!
There will be a food court on East Grand Street featuring the following: Hartman’s Kettle Corn; Toeneboehn’s Made From Scratch; Penny Webb’s Homemade Tenderloins; Eric Hoel-KC Dogs. Nearby are Subway, Corner Café and Times and Seasons. A few blocks north of the square is Casey’s and Mi Mexico Restaurant.
Ladies of the United Methodist Church will be selling walking tacos and loaded baked potatoes in the church basement; there will also be chili or Frito Pies sold by the kids for the Gallatin Prom, location and time to follow later.
Balloon artist John Perry and face painting by Heidi Condie will be at the United Methodist Church from noon to 2 p.m.
Here come Santa Claus!
Santa, Mrs. Claus and their elf will arrive by sleigh at 2 p.m. at the courthouse. Train rides will be available from 1 to 3 p.m., and sleigh rides from 2:15 to 4 p.m. Photos will be taken by Nicole Gann.
Festival of Lights Parade!
The Festival of Lights Parade unfolds at 5 p.m. Following the parade, the GHS Band will play Christmas songs and Linda Arnold will lead those attending in singing at least one holiday song. At 6 p.m. Pastor Garrett Trunk of the First Baptist Church will offer a blessing of the season for both Thanksgiving and Christmas. Then Santa will assist a boy or girl (determined by an earlier drawing) to flip the switch and light up the community’s Christmas tree. The drawing for grand prizes will follow.
Nunsense!
At 7 p.m. festivities climax with the Gallatin Theater League’s production of Nunsense. Be sure to get your tickets which are on sale now at Eileine’s Beauty Shop in Gallatin.
More details about this community wide celebration will follow. You are invited to this family oriented festival, aimed at presenting entertainment and activities suitable for the entire family.
For more information, call organizers Sally Black at 660-605-3625 (email [email protected]), Judy Elbert at 660-605-3921 (email [email protected]), or Cyd Terry at 660-605-1988 (email [email protected]).