Callaway County events celebrate Christmas season

As the Christmas holiday gets closer, Callaway County is preparing celebrations big and small. From encouraging people to share Christmas memories to tree lighting ceremonies and parades. Communities are preparing for their annual holiday events as well as adding a few new traditions.

Fulton Jaycees Christmas parade Saturday

Two former Fulton police officers - Andre Cook and Jason Stewart - will serve as the grand marshals of the Fulton Jaycees 66th annual Christmas parade Saturday. The Fulton Jaycees chose the theme "Callaway's Heroes" for its annual parade this year, which will start at 1 p.m. Saturday.

Fulton Jaycees wanted to honor all service men and women in the community. The floats will honor police, fire, EMT, postal workers, MoDOT, teachers and others who work to serve Callaway County communities.

Caitlin McGrath, 2014 Fulton Jaycees president, said the Jaycees wanted Cook and Stewart to be the grand marshals to thank them and others who serve the public. And after "Super" Sam Santhuff, a 6-year-old Fulton boy, passed away from cancer in September, the Jaycees decided to incorporate the super hero aspect.

"Since they are ex-cops, we figured we would go with a theme based on local heroes and then when we found out about Super Sam it all kind of added together," McGrath said.

McGrath said supporters of "Super Sam" are welcomed to walk in the beginning of the parade. Anyone wishing to walk in the beginning of the parade in honor of "Super" Sam should arrive at the Fulton State Hospital circle drive by 12:30 p.m. Saturday.

At the parade, donations for SERVE will be collected. Fulton Jaycees will collect food items along the parade route.

And as a registration fee, which will be given directly to SERVE Saturday, Fulton Jaycees are asking for $20 which will be converted to food poundage or 20 pounds of non-perishable food. The float that brings in the most donations will receive a trophy and "bragging rights."

Parade entries will line up from 9-11:30 a.m. then entries will be judged before the parade gets started. Prizes will be awarded to the grand marshal, which will receive a trophy and $40; first place, which will receive a trophy and $30; second place, which will receive a trophy and $20; and third place, which will receive a trophy.

The deadline for entry information is Wednesday, Dec. 3 at the local Chamber of Commerce. Or, forms for entry can be emailed to [email protected] or mailed to P.O. Box 615 in Fulton.

Chamber seeks "memories of Christmas past'

The Fulton Area Chamber of Commerce and Visitor's Center is asking its members to share their memories of Christmas past. Starting this week, the Chamber wants to share stories and pictures of those holiday memories on its Facebook page.

Fulton Area Chamber of Commerce Communications Coordinator Stephanie Hampton said this is something new they are trying as a way for the Chamber to get to know its members better and to encourage more interactivity.

"Sometimes they (Christmas memories) are funny, sometimes they have deep meaning to them," Hampton said. "(It's a way) to get to know my members a little bit further."

Hampton said she plans to get the "ball rolling" by sharing one of her own Christmas time memories. For her, that memory is a family tradition from her childhood. Every Christmas Eve, she and her mom and siblings made sugar cookies and Christmas tags for Santa Claus. Then, they set everything they made for him out before going to bed that night.

"It's a tradition I have kept with even my kids now. It's been a longtime tradition," Hampton said. "(I enjoyed the) family closeness, spending time with my siblings and my mom. And the creativity. I'm big on creativity."

Any members interested in submitting their stories and photos to be posted on the Chamber's Facebook page can send what they have to Hampton at [email protected].

"I'm looking for memories. Anything good, funny, traditional, nontraditional - everything. Just take a trip down memory lane," Hampton said.

Fulton adds Wish Tree

Fulton added a Wish Tree attraction in Veterans Park this year. The Wish Tree will be near the amphitheater on Richard Ault Drive and will have a wish box next to the tree where visitors can fill out a card with their wish.

Fulton will hold a tree lighting ceremony for the new Wish Tree at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 3.

Santa comes to breakfast and other annual traditions

The Callaway Senior Center, located at 531 Commons Drive in Fulton, will hold a breakfast with Santa from 9-11 a.m. Saturday. Admission for adults is $7.50, children ages 4-12 are $5 and children 3 years old and younger are free. Tickets can be purchased at Bank Star One and RE/MAX or by calling (573) 642-0536.

The Callaway Singers Community Choir will hold its concert, "Sending you a little Christmas" at 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 11 in Dulany Auditorium on William Woods University's campus. They will perform that concert again at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 14 as well. Both concerts are free and open to the public.

Holts Summit will hold its annual Christmas parade Saturday, Dec. 13. The parade will start at 2 p.m. at the corner of Center Street and South Summit in Holts Summit.