McKenzie’s Hometown Christmas Offers Festive Fun

McKENZIE (December 4-6) — The City of McKenzie’s Hometown Christmas offered a full slate of festive holiday events and activities for the whole family.

Carroll Arts, Inc. kicked things off Thursday night with ‘A Mistletoe Christmas’ at the Park Theatre. (See separate story on Page 5.)

Friday evening and all day Saturday, the Farmer’s Market was transformed into Mistletoe Market, packed with vendors offering a plethora of gifts, treats and holiday merchandise.

Also beginning Friday evening was Bethel University’s Christmas with Renaissance, held in the Bouldin Auditorium of the Dickey Fine Arts Building. Two more shows followed on Saturday and one on Sunday afternoon. (See separate story on Page 26.)

Saturday events began bright and early with Breakfast with Santa, presented by Beta Sigma Phi at The Depot.

Several downtown businesses offered activities throughout Saturday.

The Happy Book Stack hosted gingerbread house decorating in the afternoon and “Sweets & Stories with Santa” in the evening.

McKenzie City Florist assisted patrons in hand-making ornaments during the afternoon.

The McKenzie Taproom had a fire pit out front for relaxing and making s’mores with special guest Buddy the Elf.

The crowd reached its apex in the afternoon as the parade made its way through town. (See separate photo spread on Page 9.)

This year’s Grand Marshal was Daisy Dudley, a 1957 graduate of Webb High School with a lifetime of service to education, her church and to her beloved alma mater.

Following the parade was the City’s official tree-lighting in Veteran’s Park. McKenzie Elementary’s Rebel Singers, directed by Joanna Turner, performed “All I Want for Christmas is You”, “Somewhere in My Memory” (from Home Alone) and “Feliz Navidad”. A spirited countdown ended with Dudley continuing her Grand Marshal duties by lighting the tree.