Wonders of Christmas on the Gainesville square is Friday night

The annual Wonders of Christmas on the Gainesville Square festival and Jingle Bell Parade will be held this Friday, Dec. 6. The festival opens at 5 p.m. with vendor booths, which will remain open throughout the night. Also at 5 p.m., there will be singing in the gazebo, located on the courthouse lawn. The Mr. and Miss Merry Christmas contest will be held at 6 p.m. in the gazebo, and the Jingle Bell Parade begins at 7 p.m. Horse-drawn carriage rides are offered from 5 p.m. up until the parade. After the parade, Santa will be available for visiting and photos in the gazebo. 

Delightful dinners

Allisa West, the booth and vendor coordinator for the event, says there are 29 vendors signed up to attend this year’s event - a festival record! West gave the Times this current list of vendors who are planning on attending:

Curtright Catering and Services: burgers, hotdogs, rib sandwiches and flavored kettle corn;

Ozark County Historium: buffet of homemade soups, chilis, cookies and drinks (located inside the Historium, on west side of the square across from the gazebo);

The Stables: ribbon fries, smoked brisket, pulled pork, smoked green chili chicken and corndogs; 

Destiny Homer: organic Indian food street food and Chai tea;

Our Place: hibachi dinners.

Sweet treats and delicious drinks

Christina’s Country Creations: baked goods and other homemade sweets;

Hillbilly Kettlecorn: kettle corn and pork rinds;

First Baptist Church: spiced hot tea, candy;

Uncle Charlie’s Deep Fryed Sweets: funnel cakes and other deep-fried treats;

Chigger Ridge Fudge: homemade fudge;

Juanita and Greta: fried pies;

Freedom Church: Cotton candy and popcorn;

Options Pregnancy: baked goods, crafts for kids;

Gifts for all

Maple Leaf Stitches: crocheted hats and other items;

B&R Western Store: custom leatherwork, handmade tack and cowhide stockings; 

Cheyenne Clinton: tumblers and car freshies;

Eastwind Community: sandals, nut butters, hammocks;

Ozark Local: Christmas t-shirts, coffee mugs and Christmas decor;

Tina Riffey: author selling books and items;

Mamma Moon Herbals: small-batch herbal products and jewelry;

Sandi Naegele: wooden tree Christmas decor, ornaments and jewelry;

Ozark County Circuit Clerk and Recorders office: giving away candy;

Lutie School Art Club: face painting and temporary tattoos;

Chai and Coco’s Holiday Fun: gifts for pets and “have your pup make their own ornament” set.

Warriors and Rodeo: cards for veterans and law enforcement care packages for overseas;

Scents Galore: crafts, candles, soaps, earrings;

Farm Girl Uniques: sublimation books, puzzles, mousepads, shirts and more;

Gainesville Veternary Hospital: fun stuff for kids;

Mary Kay: Items available to purchase from the Mary Kay company;

Carriage rides

GE Carriages is once again offering horse-drawn carriage rides for free around the square. Tips are accepted. 

Mr. and Miss Merry Christmas contest

The Mr. and Miss Merry Christmas contest, open to kids age 4 and 5, will be held in the gazebo at 6 p.m.. The sign up has closed, and contest organizer Kerrie Zubrod said four children are signed up for the event this year. 

During the contest, participants will come forward on the gazebo and answer four or five “gentle questions.” At the end of each set of questions, the emcee will ask each child if they would like to share anything special. Some children choose to sing, tell a joke or otherwise give a little show. Participants often dress up in Christmas clothing, but their attire is not factored into the judging process. 

Each participant will receive a prize, and Mr. and Miss Merry Christmas will also be given a crown. 

Jingle Bell Parade

The Jingle Bell Parade will begin at 7 p.m. and will start on Second Street near Town & Country Supermarket, go up Main Street and circle the square, exiting on Third Street near Shelter Insurance. There are good viewing opportunities all around the square, but those who enjoy hearing the parade emcee announce the various entries should try to find a spot on the northeast corner near the gazebo. 

Parade Coordinator Paula Rose said this year’s lineup is sure to delight the crowd. She currently has nine floats, more than 20 lighted vehicles and multiple bands who plan to participate. 

More parade entries are welcome and should line up at 6 p.m. for judging (contact Paula Rose if you plan to participate in the parade, so she can direct you on the correct place to lineup and plan for your involvement). Those in the parade are allowed to pass out candy by hand while walking around the square, but due to safety concerns and insurance requirements, throwing candy from floats and vehicles is not allowed. 

The parade entries will be judged with the grand prize float earning $150, first place float $100, second place float $75 and third place float $50. The best lighted vehicle will win $100 and the second place best lighted vehicle will win $50.

Those who want to participate in the parade with a float, lighted vehicle or other fun entry should call Paula Rose at 417-989-1282 to enter and receive instructions on where to line up. 

Visit with Santa Claus

After the parade, Santa will be available for visiting and photos. Parents should bring their own camera to take photos. 

Donate to the event

Donations are needed for prizes for floats, bands, signs, banners and more. To make a financial contribution, bring donation to Century Bank of the Ozarks and deposit it in the Ozark  County Christmas Committee account.