Christmas in Washington

It?s time to light up the square again.

During my career I have been to many towns, which have all had their own takes on a Christmas celebration. In Geneseo, Illinois, they have an annual Victorian Christmas walk with live displays in the windows. In Bishop Hill, Illinois they have Lucia Nights with a traditional Swedish twist to Christmas. Still, in those areas you are never too far from the traditional Christmas tramplings and fighting over the latest doohickey. In other words, the true spirit of Christmas in those areas is sorely lacking.

I have spent many different Christmases in many places. Still, as far as I am concerned, the only place to be for a great holiday celebration is Washington. This coming weekend we are going to do it again.

While the events put on in the downtown area are definitely first-rate, the real distinguishing characteristic about the annual Lighting Ceremony and Lighted Parade is the feeling of camaraderie that shines through everything in the area. I remember the first time I stepped out the front door of the Journal office onto the square as the celebration was beginning to kick off. It was the 10th running for the event. The sun was only just going down and the chill in the air was perfect for the winter holiday event. I didn?t have to walk far before I heard the first notes of a traditional Christmas carol, compliments of Gary McCurdy and his tuba. The streets were alive with people, waiting in line for a ride on the haywagon or warm refreshment in the park.

Anything you can think of for a traditional Christmas celebration was there. Carolers were walking from store to store raising their voices as people sipped coffee and eggnog in the warm shops.

Of course, what would Christmas be without everyone?s favorite jolly old elf? Santa entered Washington that year riding in a carriage. At the time, the tradition was for Santa to enter Washington in a different conveyance every year. The previous year he had ridden into Washington on a firetruck. As I walked along the floats lining up for the parade, I was sure to notice the care that was taken with each float. The live Nativity that comes with the Marion Avenue Baptist Church entry blew me away, as it does every year.

The event only seems to get better and better. This year the event kicks off at 5 p.m. Friday on the square. The lighting ceremony will be held at 5:30 p.m. on the bandshell with Main Street Washington?s special guest. The parade kicks off at 6 p.m.

Holiday events continue Saturday when Breakfast with Santa runs from 8 to 10:30 a.m. at the United Presbyterian Church. The event will feature breakfast, crafts, letter writing and stories with Santa. The Jingle Bell Run will begin at 9 a.m. Saturday in front of the YMCA of Washington County?s 24/7 program site. If you have never been to those, they are really fun. People tend to wear costumes to run in the Jingle Bell run.

We definitely need to thank the people who work all year long to come up with new and fun things to do at the events. Yes, the best way to thank them is to go and have a good time.

As long as we are out, don?t forget the annual Shop and Stroll that was moved to Dec. 3 because of the traditional Iowa weather this time of year. Don?t forget to help out the local merchants who work so hard to make sure the Washington holidays are first class.

Main Street Washington director Sarah Sadrakula recently told me that when $10 is spent locally, $72 stays in the area. This is in opposition to about $30 that stays in the area from big box stores. That and many of the items being sold on the square are very unique. People who still have Christmas shopping to do could certainly do much worse than making the trip up to the square.

Come Friday, it is time to bundle up and make it out to the square. If not, it will be a whole year before this kind of event happens again.