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Washington Evening Journal
111 North Marion Avenue
Washington, IA 52353
319-653-2191
Christmas has arrived
The Mt. Pleasant Chamber and Main Street organizations hosted the annual holiday kickoff, Thursday night
MT. PLEASANT — The sounds of Christmas carolers and sleigh bells filled the festively decorated downtown square of Mt. Pleasant Thursday evening as Santa Claus brought Christmas to town.
Families lined the streets of downtown as the evening began with the lighted Christmas parade led by Grand Marshals Jim and Marlene DePriest and the marching band.
Henry County Health Center Foundation Director Mark Hempen emceed the festive parade from Central Park.
Children flocked to candy tossed by holiday characters like Cindy Lou Who, Snoopy, the Grinch, and a couple Santas.
The Mt. Pleasant Area Chamber of Commerce recognized Access Energy Cooperative’s lighted polar express as the Best Lighted Entry, HCHC’s Charlie Brown themed entry as the Best Business Entry, Iowa Wesleyan University’s Christmas Story float as the Best Community Entry, State Farm Agent Anne Davidson’s golf cart turned into Santa’s sleigh as the Best Overall Entry.
Even before the last twinkling float passed by, a line began to form outside Santa’s house.
Dozens of children filed through to greet Santa, tell him their biggest Christmas wish, and exit the house via a bright yellow slide.
Jensen Bell, 4-year-old from New London, shyly asked Santa to bring him a pool, this Christmas.
“We’ll have to see,” his mother, Dawn Bell replied with a laugh.
Businesses around the square offered festively decorated window fronts, crafts, snacks, drinks, and plenty of holiday spirit for the duration of Main Street Mt. Pleasant’s Christmas in Pleasantville event.
Traveling carolers visited Etc. Boutique where Mimi Claus sat in a live window display reading stories and performing magic tricks with children.
Children wrote letters to Santa at Brown’s Shoe Fit.
Chloe Williamson, 4-year-old from Mt. Pleasant and her sister Maggie were sure to put their most wanted gifts in their letters.
Chloe asked for an “Elsa Set.”
“I want a Barbie Dream House,” her 7-year-old sister, Maggie said.
Entering Meraki Day Spa, guests enjoyed holiday treats and listened to 10-year-old Aria Lane as she sang songs including Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah.”
Three Caroling Kings visited many businesses, including Your Dream Home Furniture and Floors.
Just as quickly as the downtown filled to brim, the music faded, the carriage rides slowed, and the crowds headed home to their warm beds in anticipation of more holiday magic to come.
Comments: AnnaMarie.Ward@southeastiowaunion.com
Maddie and Hailey Schadt proudly show off their wreath creation at Your Dream Home Furniture and Floors. (AnnaMarie Ward/The Union)
Maggie Williamson (left), Chloe Williamson (middle), and Ollie Calderon work hard on their letters to Santa in Brown’s Shoe Fit. (AnnaMarie Ward/The Union)
Mimi Claus reads about the Grinch and performs magic tricks in Etc. Boutique’s live window display. (AnnaMarie Ward/The Union)
Lillian Grace Lauer poses as Cindy Lou Who in front of the boutique named after her by her parents Sarah and Ryan Lauer. LillianGrace Boutique also offered mulled wine to cold event attendees. (AnnaMarie Ward/The Union)
Creative lighted floats like this cruised downtown Mt. Pleasant for the Lighted Parade, Thursday. (AnnaMarie Ward/The Union)
Santa and his four-legged elf greeted Mt. Pleasant in the Lighted Parade as they rode in a golf cart converted into a sleigh by State Farm Agent Anne Davidson’. (Photo Submitted)
