By Ben Cox
Holiday spirit filled the streets of Winchester on December 6 as residents and visitors gathered downtown for the annual Winchester Hometown Christmas celebration, a full day of family-friendly activities, shopping, music and tradition that brought the community together.
The day began with breakfast and early shopping opportunities. The Winchester Kiwanis hosted its popular Pancake and Sausage Breakfast at Sibert Hall from 8-10 a.m., drawing families and early risers for the Kiwanis largest fundraiser of the year. Throughout the day, the Winchester Civic Group offered its “Be Local” Christmas ornaments and magnets for sale.
Creative activities highlighted the morning and early afternoon as Prairie Kreations, located at the former Assembly of God Church at 27 West Cherry St., hosted a “paint-your-own ornament” pottery studio along with special holiday discounts.
Local artists of all ages were showcased during the Winchester Public Library’s Christmas Art Show from 9 a.m.-noon. At the same time, the Winchester First Christian Church welcomed crowds for its annual Cookie and Candy Walk.
Vendors had set up shop across multiple downtown locations from 9 a.m.-3 p.m., giving shoppers a chance to find unique holiday gifts and support local organizations.
Families enjoyed nostalgic holiday displays throughout the day, including a toy train exhibition at the Winchester Depot from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Children were also treated to special visits from the “Museum Elf” at the Winchester Old School Museum.
New this year was the Winchester Christmas Tree Jubilee, a festive display also housed at the museum that added a fresh tradition to the annual celebration.
Community service was also a central focus, as the Winchester Outreach Center hosted a toy drive that day, collecting donations to help brighten the holidays for local children and families in need.
In the afternoon, excitement grew as Santa Claus arrived in town aboard a Winchester Fire Department truck at 1 p.m. He then took up residence at the ‘Santa House’ at Douglas Park, greeting children and families for a few hours, posing for photos and listening to Christmas wishes.
The evening approached, and Winchester First Baptist Church hosted its soup supper from 3:30-6 p.m., providing a warm meal for parade-goers preparing for the night’s main event.
The celebration concluded with one of the region’s largest lighted Christmas parades, hosted by the Winchester High School Key Club. The parade stepped off at 6:30 p.m. from North Main Street in front of Daws Family Funeral Home and made its way to Douglas Park.
More than two dozen floats and entries from businesses, churches, organizations and political candidates participated. Despite temperatures hovering around 32 degrees, children bundled in winter coats lined the streets, collecting bagfuls of candy as brightly lit floats passed by.
Following the parade, the ‘memory tree’ ceremony and float awards were held at Douglas Park, with musical entertainment provided by Cole, Zac and Gabe Howard, all bringing the festive day to a joyful close. Winners from the event were Judy Weder Birdsell (quilt raffle), Julia DeGroot (jubilee tree), United Methodist Church (parade “best in glow”) and Class of 2031 (best in show).
