Christmas cheer fills downtown Licking
Photos by Shari Harris
Hickory Manor won the blue ribbon for the best non-religious float in this year’s Licking Christmas Parade.
St. John the Baptist Catholic Church was the winner of the first place ribbon in the religious category for their float in this year’s parade.
Wildcat Early Learning Center had a beautiful float as usual, and brought home second place in the non-religious category.
Sonshine & Rainbow Dayschool was the second place winner in the religious category.
Country Crossroads Custom Cabinetry won the yellow ribbon for third place in the non-religious category.
Boone Creek Baptist Church had a float full of treats and earned the yellow ribbon in the religious category Saturday.
By Shari Harris, Publisher
Christmas cheer came to downtown Licking Saturday, as crafters filled the VFW Hall, and Santa handed out toys to children.
Shoppers enjoyed the selection of handcrafted items at the Christmas Bazaar at the VFW. Some new crafters joined with favorites from previous years to offer a wide selection of choices. Santa visited the VFW and met with children, who told him their Christmas wishes and posed for photographs with the jolly old elf. Gifts of teddy bears, blankets, handbags, backpacks, toy tanks and necklaces were given out to those who visited Santa, courtesy of the Restorative Justice Program at South Central Correctional Center.
Santa visited with vendors at the VFW Hall prior to meeting with children.
The Licking Chamber of Commerce held their annual toy giveaway at the historic Licking Mill. Between 75 and 80 children ages 13 and under showed up to receive gifts, handed out by Santa on the mill porch. Licking Chamber members and Licking FFA Chapter members helped Santa with the gift giving. The Sonic Cruise-In Toy Drive generously donated most of the toys for the giveaway.
Two tricycles and two bicycles were given away this year. Tricycle winners were Hunter Buell and Ellsee Strait, and bicycle winners were Jack Buckner and Lainie Sims.
The Texas County Museum of Art & History held their Cookies by the Pound sale, and the Book Nook had their giant book sale to wrap up their season. Both will be closed now until March. The Friends of the Library gave away free new books to children, and Mrs. Claus visited in the afternoon to read books with children.
Abounding Hope had a Soup, Chili and Hot Dog lunch, along with a bake sale. Crock pots lined their tables, with something sure to tempt anyone’s appetite.
From left: Marlene Taylor, Debbie Taylor, Vicki Knight, Lori Grover, Nadra Ritz and Annie Conaway were serving up some delicious soups and chilis at Abounding Hope Church Saturday.
The parade offered first through third place awards in two categories, religious and non-religious. This year’s winners were Religious: 1st – St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, 2nd – Sonshine & Rainbow Dayschool, 3rd – Boone Creek Baptist Church; Non-Religious: 1st – Hickory Manor, 2nd – Wildcat Early Learning Center, 3rd – Country Crossroads Custom Cabinetry.
Christmas festivities continue, as children’s shopping events, Christmas parties and other activities are planned throughout the coming days. The Christmas edition of The Licking News, featuring second graders’ artwork and letters to Santa from the kindergarten classes at Licking Elementary, will be published on December 19th, as well.
The Central Baptist Worship Team from Houston sang Christmas Carols on Main Street before Saturday’s parade.
Slideshow photos by Shari Harris
