The Christmas season will again be kicked off in grand style this year with the Columbia-Adair County Chamber of Commerce's "Christmas in Columbia" celebration, which is set for Saturday, Dec. 6 and Sunday, Dec. 7.
This is the 18th year for the gala event, and Chamber president Donna Stotts says the 2008 version promises to be the best one yet.
"We're really excited about this year's event," Stotts said. "We've added a whole lot of new things, events, and a lot more people are participating this year."
The majority of the new events are geared to children Stotts noted, and the best thing about them is that they are all free.
The day's activities will kick off with the Columbia Rotary Club's annual breakfast at the Columbia Baptist Church, and the "Arts and Crafts and Goodies"booths will open at 9 a.m. Then, starting at 10 a.m., there will be continuous activities throughout the remainder of the day.
"New things we've added this year include performances by Damon's CTA and Tumbletown USA," Stotts explained. "Plus, Adair County High School art students will be doing face painting, and Lindsey Wilson College students will be doing stories and crafts."
As usual, Santa will be on the Square, this year from 12 noon to 5 p.m., and as an added bonus, Adair County Band students will be selling pictures of the kids with Santa as a fund-raiser for their trip to the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.
Another new thing for this year's celebration that Stotts said is attracting a lot of interest is free personalized Christmas ornaments for kids.
"A local artist, Beth Cahoe, will be personalizing ornaments for all the kids," she explained. "She will be hand painting wooden angels, and kids will be able to personalize them by choosing the hair color, the inscription, and their name."
From 12 noon until 5 p.m., there will be continuous live entertainment, all provided by local groups or individuals.
"This is the first time that we've had continuous entertainment," Stotts noted. "Those scheduled to perform include Nitra from Trinity United Methodist Church, Hearts of Praise (the Columbia Baptist Church's Ladies Ensemble), Paige Hutchison and Ricardo Hughes."
There will also be pony rides, a children's scavenger hunt, children's arts and crafts, old fashioned carriage rides, a Christmas show at the Dream Depot, awards presentations for the best decorated homes and businesses, and much more.
The highlight of the day's activities, as usual, will be the night-time Christmas parade which is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m.
This year's theme is "Christmas Around the World" and cash prizes will be awarded for both in and out of county floats, as well as non-floats.
(See accompanying story for entry information for the parade, home decorating contest, and arts and crafts booths.)
"We're also happy to say that a number of local businesses will be staying open late on Saturday, so people can hang around after the parade and shop," Stotts noted.
She said that in addition to the extra shopping that will be offered by the businesses, they want to emphasize that just about everything for the kids is free.
"We want parents to be able to bring their kids out and enjoy a full day of activities without having to spend a lot money," Stotts noted. "About the only things they'll have to buy are pictures with Santa or food."
The Christmas in Columbia weekend will conclude on Sunday, with the Columbia Woman's Club annual Home Tour in the afternoon, an open house and tour at Highland Raku Art Studio and a performance by the Lindsey Wilson College Choral Ensemble and a Christmas pageant at Antioch United Methodist Church.
Watch future issues of the Adair Progress for more information on Christmas in Columbia and a complete schedule of events.
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