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2010-02-09

2010-01-19

Agriculture

Lifestyles

Friday, November 27, 2009 10:00 AM

Weekend set to switch on the holidays

Activities abound as Christmas edges closer

By MEAGAN PATTON, Herald Connections Editor

A flurry of activities around Franklin County will kick off the start of the Christmas season this weekend, including tree lightings, Santa Claus sightings and holiday parades.

In Ottawa, festivities will start at 6 p.m. today in Edward E. Haley Community Park, Second and Main streets. The Franklin County Cancer Foundation will serve hot chocolate and cider and tickets to win $100 in Chamber currency will be given out. Residents can bring a non-perishable food item or new toy to be donated to East Central Kansas Economic Opportunity Corp. to have an extra shot at winning.

Mayor Blake Jorgensen will turn the Christmas tree lights on at about 6:30 p.m.

Other activities tonight include free tractor-drawn wagon rides on Main Street, live entertainment by the Cytones and visits with Santa in the park.

On Thursday, a drive-through light display in Rantoul opened for its 11th year to Christmas-light lookers. Memory Lane Tree Farm, 2710 Vermont Road, will be open 5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. every day except Mondays and Tuesdays through Christmas Eve. Cost is $5 per car, with all proceeds going to the Franklin County Cancer Foundation.

Garnett will present its 39th annual Christmas Parade and Lighting Ceremony at 6:30 p.m. Saturday. It will start at North Lake and end downtown at The Square.

This year’s theme, “A Christmas to Remember,” was the winning submission by Garnett Elementary student Jake Morgan. Morgan will join Santa for a ride on a fire truck in the parade.

About 40 entries will be in the parade this year, Cecilia Lamb, Chamber administrative assistant, said, which is up from last year.

“I’m just tickled,” Lamb said about the increase.

Following the parade, cider, cocoa and cookies will accompany a meeting with Santa at the Santa Fe Depot, Seventh and Main streets.

A holiday craft show and bierock sale will be from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at St. Rose School, 520 E. Fourth St., Garnett.

On Saturday, Baldwin City’s events will kick off with a “Breakfast with Santa.” All-you-can-eat pancakes, a photo with Santa and crafts will be the main features of this event, which begins at 9 a.m. at Baldwin Intermediate Center, 700 Chapel St. Tickets are $6 in advance at the Baldwin City Recreation Commission or $8 at the door.

Santa also will be seen at the city’s 10th annual Holiday Lights Parade, which begins at 6 p.m. Saturday. The parade will start at the corner of Eighth and Chapel streets. Downtown shops will be open and the recreation office will hold its annual gift give-away following the parade.

The Baldwin Community Arts Council Annual Art Sale will be 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 5 in the Lumberyard Arts Center, 718 High St.