Jackson welcomes holiday season with parade, Santa, Oliver House tours

Hundreds of people lined the streets of uptown Jackson on Saturday to welcome Santa and the holiday season to town at the annual Christmas parade.

Angie Nix of Jackson has attended the event for 15 years and said it is a great way to get in a festive mood.

"It really brings the Christmas spirit and puts you in the holiday frame of mind," she said.

Her 8-year-old daughter, Abbi, braved the day's cold, blustery weather specifically to see the horses in the parade.

Jackie Dameron, also of Jackson, said the parade was a great way for the community to celebrate the season together. She and her family have been attending for the past five years.

More than 65 parade entries were decorated to illustrate this year's theme, "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree." Immaculate Conception Catholic School received the Spirit of Christmas award for its entry.

Float organizer Barbie Gibbs said the group made a large Frosty the Snowman playing an electric guitar and decorated a tall Christmas tree with records.

"It was a lot work, but a lot of fun. It was worth it," she said.

Santa Claus appeared in a horse-drawn carriage at the end of the parade, which marked the start of several holiday activities throughout Jackson.

The Oliver House, decorated for Christmas, opened after the parade for guided tours. Pat Fosse of the Jackson Heritage Association said the decorating committee tries to stay as true to the Victorian period as possible when preparing the house for Christmas. Additions to this year's holiday decorations include wreaths on every window, a Christmas tree in the senator's study and a mailbox on the front porch accepting letters to Santa.

The house will also be open from 1 to 4 p.m. today and Santa will be there from 5 to 7 p.m.

As they have done for more than 30 years on parade night, Girl Scout Service Unit 770 met on the courthouse lawn Saturday to light luminarias, sing carols and collect warm clothes for the needy. Anne Hyde of the Girl Scouts of the Missouri Heartland said the activity teaches a valuable lesson.

"Service has always been an important part of the Girl Scout leadership experience, as has connecting with local communities. Projects like this one are important because they help families locally, and because they empower girls to learn about identifying and responding to community needs," she said.

The 16th annual Lights of the Season at Jackson City Park made its 2010 debut Saturday night. The drive-thru light display has 70 entries this year.

cbartholomew@semissourian.com

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