By: Ryan Duey
Clay Center’s Annual Christmas Festival is set for Friday, November 29th with Carriage Rides beginning at 3:00 p.m. and other festivities kicking off at 5:00 p.m. at the Courthouse Square. The festival features the Lighted Christmas Parade, followed by the lighting of the trees.
When the Lighted Parade first began seven years ago it was not part of the Festival of Trees, but closer to Christmas time. Laura Schwartz, Co-organizer, said the schools were the main focus of the parade at the beginning.
“Renee Langvardt, when she worked at the Chamber Office before it was Grow Clay County, actually reached out because they were trying to get another type of performance or something to happen when they did the Third Thursdays a while back in Clay Center. And so, the Lighted Parade was actually on the third Thursday in December. When it first started, the schools were the main part, the main focus. So, Lincoln Elementary, Garfield, the middle school, and even the high school band did it. So, everyone that was in the schools was able to participate. I think we had like 17 entries that first year. It wasn’t very many and that went pretty quick. Then by probably the fourth or fifth year, it started getting a lot bigger. So now we have anywhere between, I would say, 30 and 40 floats.”
Schwartz said anyone can be part of the parade, at no cost. Entry forms can be found at Mayo’s or on the Clay Center Christmas Festival website. Entries are requested by noon that Friday.
Schwartz said there will be a couple of performances downtown before the parade.
“Beforehand, Stark Studios will dance around five o’clock and they’ll put on a little performance for about 15 to 20 minutes. After that, this is a new entry this year, the high school cheerleaders will perform, after Stark Studios. Renee Langvardt will do a short Christmas story and we’re hoping to put together a Live Nativity Scene during that time when she’s sharing a Christmas story. And that’s right before the parade starts.”
The Lighted Parade will begin at 6:00 p.m., followed by the lighting of the trees. Schwartz said anywhere between Kier’s and the Fire Department is a great place to view the parade. Join in on a great event to start the Holiday Season.
