Most every city in the country has a tree lighting ceremony. Some may make an evening of it. With numerous events surrounding the lighting ceremony. However, in
Baldwin City, it is an all day event.
This year that day was on Saturday December 5, 2015
Starting with Breakfast with Santa (9 am) at the Intermediate Center (100 Bullpup Drive). The cost for this opportunity was $7, which supported the Baldwin City Recreation Commission. Breakfast consisted of all you can eat pancakes (from Chris Cakes™), sausage links and Tang™.
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Don Pratt; Baldwin City, catches pancakes flipped by Brent; Louisburg of Chris Cakes™.
Photographer Kevin Surbaugh |
Beginning at the same time (until 7pm) the Lumberyard Arts Center (718 High Street) hosted their annual Festival of Wreaths and Trees. Where participants decorate and donate one for display and silent auction, making a fun fundraiser for the Lumberyard Arts Center.
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| Photographer Kevin Surbaugh |
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| Photographer Kevin Surbaugh |
Then at 10 am, the first run (another run was at 1 pm) of the "Santa Claus Express" began at the Midland Railway (1515 High Street). Riders were able to see Santa in his own specially decorated passenger car (built in 1898), take pictures of their kids with Santa, while enjoying hot cocoa or hot cider as well as fresh baked sugar cookies for each passenger. Coach tickets were $14 for children (under 11) and $19 for adults (ages 12 and up). While first class tickets was $23 for children (under 11) and $29 for adults (ages 12 and up). Other runs of the Santa Claus Express are Dec 6 (10am and 1pm), Dec 11 (7 pm), Dec 12 (10am and 1pm) and Dec 13 (10 and 1pm). Even though the train is not handicapped accessible, the staff will attempt to help those with mobility issues to board the train.
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| Photographer Kevin Surbaugh |
The annual Holiday Homes Tour began at 11am, tickets were $15 which supports the
Baldwin City Community Emergency Fund. Which helps those in the Baldwin school district (USD 348) with assistance in times of crisis. That can include assistance with utility bills, rent, gasoline, food and medical expenses or aid after catastrophic events.
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| photographer Kevin Surbaugh |
Another project at the Lumberyard Arts Center (718 High Street) began at 1pm (and 4pm) was the Gingerbread House Party. With two classes, allowing participants to build their own gingerbread house for $15 per house.
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| photographer Kevin Surbaugh |
Then at 5pm the annual Holiday Chili Supper was held at Ives Chapel Methodist Church for a free will offering. At the same time over at the Lumberyard Arts Center the Victorian Carolers sang a number of Christmas classics to a packed house enjoying cookies and hot chocolate.
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Santa arrives on an antique firetruck at the tail end of the parade
Photographer Kevin Surbaugh |
The days events began to culminate at 6 pm with the annual Festival of Lights parade near 8th and High. The parade ran through historic downtown Baldwin City and featured Santa Claus making his grand entrance on an antique fire truck. This year, the Grand Marshall was Dr. Dara Lowe, who for the last four years has been a family physician at the Baldwin Medical Clinic (on High Street). Her husband former city administrator Chris Lowe will be moving to Monument, CO, where he has accepted a new position as city manager.
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Christmas Tree
photographer Kevin Surbaugh |
The tree lighting ceremony in the 700 block of High Street at 6:30pm and a spectacular first ever Baldwin City Christmas fireworks display, helped bring the night to the final events. Where, kids had an opportunity to visit Santa, and have their pictures taken with the jolly old elf himself at 7pm. Not to mention the adults had a chance to win a raffle drawing for a 62" TV. Proceeds from the raffle will go towards the Baldwin City Emergency Fund.
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