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At just one month old, Trinity Ember Jones meets Mrs. Claus in preparation for her first Christmas. — The Holyoke Enterprise | Johnson Publications

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As Minnie Rodriguez was pleased to discover, Santa welcomes adults with open arms, too. — The Holyoke Enterprise | Johnson Publications

Claus magic knows no age limit

Locals of all ages have a holly jolly time at Country Christmas

Palpable Christmas spirit filled the air Dec. 2, as people congregated downtown for Holyoke Chamber of Commerce’s annual Country Christmas.

At the center of the evening’s festivities was the parade of lights, sponsored by Highline Electric Association and CHS Grainland. Floats were decorated by businesses, organizations and families, paying homage to “The Night Before Christmas.” The parade traveled north up Interocean Avenue, thrilling the spectators who lined both sides of the street.

Complete with a living room scene depicting Christmas Eve, the Seaboard Foods float took first place. Jerry and Sue Cooper were second, and Holyoke Community Federal Credit Union was third.

Before and after the parade, holiday musical favorites could be heard both inside and outside businesses open late for the occasion. When they weren’t riding along with Holyoke Volunteer Fire Department in the parade, Santa and Mrs. Claus were at the Phillips County Museum, visiting with children, hearing their wish lists and posing for photos.

HVFD served its traditional soup supper, complete with chili and potato soup, at the Vets Hall. Some of the firefighters were stationed at the Peerless Theatre to greet kids with goodie bags after the movie. A crowd of 74 took advantage of movie tickets sponsored by the City of Holyoke to watch “Playing with Fire.”

Though the weather was about as nice as it ever is in December, folks appreciated warm cups of apple cider and hot chocolate being served up on practically every corner.

Many certainly got a jump-start on their Christmas shopping Monday night, too. Area businesses had specials for the occasion, and a number of home-based businesses were set up at Viaero and in the Peerless gym.

Throughout the evening, Holyoke Baptist Church hosted hay rides. The trip around town passed by some of the more impressive lighting displays.

All in all, it was another successful Country Christmas, and the holiday is sure to be here in no time.

Holyoke Enterprise

970-854-2811 (Phone)

130 N Interocean Ave
PO Box 297
Holyoke CO 80734