Ozark County Christmas events set for Dec. 2, 9, 16

Organizers have begun planning the Gainesville “Wonders of Christmas” event and the  Bakersfield “Christmas Magic”  event, and Nancy Walker says the annual Ozark County Toy Drive will be held Dec. 16 

The Bakersfield’s “Christmas Magic” event will be held Satur-day, Dec. 2, beginning with  Breakfast with Santa from 9 to 11 a.m. in the school cafeteria. The Bakersfield Christmas parade will kick off at noon, with floats lining up at 11 a.m.  at the Bakersfield School. Everyone who wishes to participate by entering a float, car, four wheeler, dirt bike or horse is more than welcome to join in on the fun, organizers said.

Gainesville’s “Wonders of Christmas” will be held the following Saturday, Dec. 9, with festivities from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. Vendors and crafters are invited to set up booths on the west side of the Gainesville square. Those planning to have a booth should contact Pearl Schneider at 679-0388. 

The Jingle Bell Parade steps off at 2:30 p.m. Anyone wishing to enter a float is asked to call Paula Rose at 417-989-1282. Float lineup begins at 2 p.m. behind Town & Country Super-market. There’s no entry fee for floats, and winning floats will be awarded $150 for grand prize, $100 for first place and $50 for second place. Five floats have already been entered, and Paula says she’d love to see other citizens, groups, organizations, churches and bands participate. “I’d love to see some churches participate in the floats this year,” she told the Times Monday. “Christmas is such an important season for church families, and this is a great way to be involved.”

The Mr. and Miss Merry Christmas contest, open to 4- and 5-year-old girls and boys, will be held again this year. Those interested in entering a child in the contest are asked to call Kerrie Zubrod at 417-679-3321. The Lilly Ridge bell choir will be performing during the event. The Christmas parade committee is meeting this week to finalize details. Watch the Times for more information.

The annual Ozark County Toy Drive, which has provided Christmas gifts and goodies for Ozark County children for decades, will be held Saturday morning, Dec. 16, in the old senior center on Third Street in Gainesville. Chair person Nancy Walker says solicitation letters were recently mailed out, “but if you don’t get a letter, it doesn’t mean we don’t need help from you.” The toy give-away operates totally on donations. To help, make checks payable to Ozark County Toy Drive and mail to Walker, 378 Harlin Dr., Gainesville, MO 65655.

Ozark County Times

504 Third Steet
PO Box 188
Gainesville, MO 65655

Phone: (417) 679-4641
Fax: (417) 679-3423