On the night of Friday, December 10, Gainesville Square became a Christmas wonderland suitable for Dickens’ novels, laying the foundation for the popular 2021 Christmas Wonders Festival.
Under the glittering Christmas lights and decorations, festival participants enjoyed a carriage ride, homemade hot cocoa and spiced mustard, Christmas sweets and other delightful homemade baked goods.
The sweet smell of kettle corn and funnel cake was in the air. Those with a big appetite are easily satisfied with the dinner choices, from rich homemade soups to smoky barbecue dinners.
In this year's Mr. and Miss Christmas contest, more than a dozen children dressed in Christmas costumes pleased the audience with songs and cute performances.
Parade observers admired ornately decorated floats, flashing emergency vehicles, decorated old and new cars and trucks, marching bands, and horse riders in festive costumes as they circled the square.
The Clauss even flew down from the North Pole, took the children to visit and gave gifts.
"The parade and the entire Christmas Miracle event are great in every way! It's a bit like seeing all the lights and celebrations in the middle of a postcard," said history volunteer Janet Taber, who helped organize soup and chili during the holiday season Fundraising dinner. "The weather is great, which is a huge reward. We are very grateful for the opening and operation of the Ozark County History Museum to benefit the Ozark County and create our own history, even if we work hard to preserve and share past records.”
There are more than 20 stalls and vendors on the west and north sides of the square, selling handicrafts, homemade snacks, home decorations, Christmas gift ideas, lucky draw tickets, etc.
Although it is not known how many people participated, a supplier said that volunteers distributed candy canes to more than 200 people. Considering the challenging weather forecast, there was a request that the probability of rain during the prime time of the festival was 70. %, this number is surprising. During the parade.
It was raining for the holidays and the weather was warm; however, just after most suppliers packed up and left, around 9pm, a strong storm did indeed pass through the Gainesville area.
Allisa West, the supplier and booth leader, said that she thinks the festival is going well.
"Food suppliers are satisfied with their turnout. Some of them sold out before the parade," West said. "I heard mixed reviews from crafts vendors, but this seems to be typical of [any event]... I have cancelled several times, but most of them braved the wind at the beginning of the festival. Thankfully, it It seemed to be calm all night."
West said she counted and set up 28 vendors on the festival square. The Bouquet Palace and the Ozark County History Museum on the west side of the square are also open. West said that United County Missouri Ozarks Realty, located on the north side of the plaza, opened their office to use bathroom facilities and provide games and drinks.
"The turnout rate is high. The weather improves and it's just a perfect night."
Mr. and Miss Merry Christmas Contest
A total of 12 children aged 4 to 5 participated in the Mr. and Miss Christmas contest held in the pavilion this year.
April Luna, a resident of Gainesville, was responsible for the emcee of this year's competition, replacing Kerrie Zubrod, the usual emcee of the competition. When her grandson Zander Zubrod decided to participate in the competition, she withdrew from this task.
Each player has his turn to walk on the high platform to give the audience the best smile. Luna asked each contestant a variety of questions, including their age, whether they have pets or siblings, whether they have gone to school, and what they like most about Christmas. Then, at the end of each child’s performance, she would ask a unique holiday-themed question, such as "What color is Santa’s belt?" and "Whose nose is red?" To end the game, every Each child is asked if he or she has anything special to share-jokes, songs, or other things. Several contestants did participate in the competition with a song.
The judges carefully considered the answers provided by each child.
Each participant received a prize, a big plush teddy bear.
Zander Zubrod, son of Alyssa Wood and Andrew and Victoria Zubrod, and Amanda Thomas, daughter of Markus Thomas and Ashley Thomas, were crowned Mr. and Miss Christmas 2021. After the race, the kids rode in the back of the convertible driven by Paul Bobby in the Jingle Bells parade.
Other Christmas Mrs and Misses participating in this year’s competition are: Mossy and Emillie VanderVeen, both 5 years old, children of William and LeVienna VanderVeen; Aims Collins, 4 years old, son of Shane and Candice Collins; Cameron Overcast, 4 years old, David And Christy Overcast's son; Kinsley Cooper, 5 years old, daughter of Rick and Haley Cooper; Finley Roberts, 4 years old, daughter of Johnathan and Ralena Roberts; Emerson Burks, 4 years old, daughter of Dylan and Lydia Burks; Emily Gray Umm, 4 years old, daughter of Joseph and Courtney Graham; Natalye Barnes, 4 years old, daughter of Mason and Lorraine Barnes; daughter of Katie Walker and Cody Collins (Cody Collins) Kyra Walker, 4 years old.
The festivities continue at 7pm, as those attending the festival will walk to the edge of the square to make room for the 2021 Jingle Bells parade.
A long line of floats, lighted vehicles, horseback riders, bands and other contestants started their parade on Second Street next to the town and country supermarkets. This route allows participants to turn a short distance into Main Street, then turn right into the square and make a full circle, leaving from Third Street.
Parade organizer Paula Rose said that due to the forecast storm, the Dora School Band and some other participants chose not to participate this year, but most of the parade participants showed enthusiasm.
Renee Hambelton, the master of ceremonies for the Jingle Bells parade, announced the entrance of each parade while she was at the helm at the gazebo.
This year’s parade has 10 floats, 16 local business vehicles, several fire trucks and ambulances, about 20 horse riders, 5 vintage cars and various convertibles, including special guests, including Ozark County Citizen of the Year Catherine Atkinson, Marshal of the Parade Rob Collins and Mr. Angie Collins and Miss Merry Christmas Zander Zubrod and Amanda "Didell" Thomas, Hoting and Hollarin Deputy Queen Hardy Parker and Jay Princess West Latham, State Representative Travis Smith, Mayor Gelreich and others.
The Gainesville High School Military Band and Central High School Kilty Drum and Horn Corps from Springfield also participated. Kilties is Ozark County's favorite at the annual Hootin an Hollarin Music Festival. They performed two different performances in the square. This is the first year that the band has participated in the Jingle Bells Parade. The Gainesville High School cheerleader performed a dance for "Everything I Want for Christmas".
For a complete list of parade participants, see page 4.
After the parade, the Clauss took the children to visit and took photos with their parents and family in the pavilion.
504 Third Street PO Box 188 Gainesville, Missouri 65655