VERSAILLES — The Village of Versailles hosted its annual official kickoff of the holiday season with its Hometown Christmas celebration last weekend.
Mayor Jeff Subler invited all of the children of the village to join him around the gazebo to call for the lighting of the village Christmas tree and herald the arrival of the guest of honor – Santa Claus. After a warm welcome on a chilly evening, Santa took his seat in the gazebo to hear the Christmas wishes from the children who lined up all the way down the block to await their turn.
The evening also featured horse-drawn carriage rides and Christmas carols to enhance the holiday mood.
Several downtown shops unveiled their holiday decor and stayed open late to allow the revelers the opportunity to get a start on their holiday shopping.
If the chill of the evening got to be too much, those attending the celebration were able to warm up at the fire pits or squeeze into the pavilion for hot chocolate and cookies from Brown’s Sweet Shop, and hot dogs provided by the Versailles Health Care Center.
The pavilion also featured face painting, kids’ crafts, music and a “twist” on balloon animals with balloon candy canes and Santa hats.
The event also benefited the local food pantry with a canned food drive and a 50/50 drawing.
Santa returned on Saturday morning for breakfast with the village children at the Versailles Eagles.
The event was sponsored by Midmark Corp., Kaup Pharmacy, State Farm Insurance, RL Smith Trucking, Best Bite Grill, Direct Wire, Dr. David Menning, Fullenkamp Frenchtown Trailer Sales, Nickol Monument, Pepcon Concrete, Phelan Insurance, Pohl Transportation, Second National Bank, Total Image, Weaver Brothers, Worch Lumber, and other local and area businesses.
Special thanks went out to the Versailles Area Chamber of Commerce, the Versailles Fire Department, Versailles Rotary and Interact, Brown’s Sweet Shop, the Inn at Versailles and Seredipity Moms for their efforts in making the event possible.
