Santa to visit Vernon County on Saturday

By Lynn A. Wade

Nevada Daily Mail

It's been months -- nearly 12 of them, to be exact, since Vernon County has seen the likes of a certain celebrity. Santa Claus, that jolly old elf who calls the North Pole home, has slated some time to visit Vernon County this weekend, just in time to join in weekend festivities.

He'll make his first official appearance on Saturday, Dec. 1, when Santa will take time for breakfast and photos with children at the Sunrise restaurant on the Square in Nevada, from 9 to 11 a.m. Afterwards, for about an hour, he'll be checkin' his list twice while he visits with area merchants around the Square as well.

Then, at 6 p.m., Santa will take part in the annual holiday parade, "Hearts Come Home for Christmas," escorted by the Nevada Fire Department.

A host of other holiday activities will be taking place in Nevada on Saturday as well. While Santa talks with residents and merchants on the Square, 2006 Miss Merry Christmas Tabitha Scott will be serving as mistress of ceremonies for the annual Miss Merry Christmas pageant, scheduled for 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Nevada High School auditorium. The pageant is sponsored by Heartland Behavioral Health Services in cooperation with the Nevada/Vernon County Area Chamber of Commerce. The contestants, school-aged girls in four age categories will showcase talent and be interviewed by judges during the event for the chance to preside over the parade. All contestants participate in the parade.

At 5 p.m., pre-parade festivities begin, with musical entertainment provided by members of the Cottey Pops Choir, Cottey Chamber Singers and the Nevada Middle School Treble Effects choir.

Lineup for the parade begins at 5:30 p.m., at Cherry and Cedar streets.

At 5:45, the annual lighting of the Nevada Regional Medical Center Tree of Shining Memories will be conducted, followed by the parade, which will head west on Cherry, then proceed counter-clockwise around the Square.

Chamber director Kathi Wysong noted that parade entries will be accepted through 5 p.m., today, at the chamber offices on the lower level of the Carnegie Building. No live "Santas" are allowed, since Santa will be arriving via fire truck in keeping with the Nevada tradition.

On Sunday, Santa will make an encore visit, this time at Nevada Regional Medical Center's annual Holiday Festival, slated for 1-4 p.m., at the hospital. Mrs. Claus plans to attend this event, as well. The festival features reindeer games, Kringle's Krafts, Tinsel Town Tattoos and more.

Although there is no charge to participate, registration is required. To register for the NRMC event, call (417) 448-3609.