Mission celebrates season with carnival, caroling
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Santa came early to St. Ignatius Saturday, leaving loot from new bicycles to an Xbox 360 for local kids at the annual community Christmas carnival.
“I think almost every kid here got a raffle prize,” Chamber of Commerce member Darren Orr said as the kids hauled away their toys.
Local businesses and community members donated prizes for the drawings; all kids had to do was sign up at the door for the free raffle, where they won everything from bikes and CDs to a television and iPods. As many as 300 people came to the St. Ignatius Community Center for the carnival, Orr estimated.
“It grows every year,” he said.
If they weren’t waiting on a raffle drawing, kids could decorate cookies, meet Santa, craft Christmas ornaments, get a cheery design painted on their faces or throw darts for prizes at booths run by local groups.
Later in the evening, community members gathered at the town Christmas tree for a free chili dinner and hot cocoa and coffee to ward off the chill before the tree-lighting and parade of lights.
“We try to keep everybody warm,” Julie Burckhard said, smiling as she dished out cups of her hot chili.
At dark, the small crowd counted down from 10 and after a minor setback with the wiring, the tree was soon aglow with Christmas lights.
“We really want to thank everybody for coming out on this brisk evening,” Fred Gariepy said before lighting the tree. “It’s about families being together.”
Following the lighting of the tree, families, friends and neighbors piled onto a wagon for a hayride and caroling around town, leading the way for three colorfully lit holiday floats. It was Mission’s first parade of lights, and Orr hopes to see more participants each year.
