Macoupin County Prepares for Holiday Season
Volunteers took to the Square on Sunday, Nov. 17 to decorate the area for the annual Christmas Tree Lighting held on Nov. 26 and visit from Santa. Photo from the Christmas in Carlinville on the Historic Downtown Square Facebook Page.
By ERIN SANSON
Enquirer~Democrat Reporter
The Christmas season is starting off shortly in Macoupin County.
The City of Carlinville began celebrations on Nov. 26 with the annual Square lighting and visit from Santa. Volunteers decorated the Square on Sunday, Nov. 17 in anticipation of the yearly event. Photos from the event will be featured in the Dec. 5 edition of the Enquirer~Democrat.
Christmas in Carlinville is coming up soon, with the market set to run Dec. 6-8 in Downtown Carlinville and at the Macoupin County Fairgrounds.
In Bunker Hill, families can enjoy a Polar Express Party at the Bunker Hill Public Library on Dec. 1. The annual tree lighting will begin at 3 p.m. with a variety of activities, including visitors Santa and Mrs. Claus. The Bunker Hill High School Band will begin playing at 5:30, at which point the tree will be lit.
Virden Country Christmas will be held Dec. 6 and 7. Virden festivities begin at 3 p.m. on the 6th with a Christmas parade to be held at 7 p.m. The festival starts back up the next day at 9 a.m. with Breakfast with Santa, vendors and the Cookie Walk.
The Gillespie Lighted Parade and tree lighting will take place on Dec. 1. The parade will begin at 4:30 p.m. with the lighting to be held at 5 p.m. The Ben-Gil third, fourth and fifth graders will be performing at the tree lighting around 5:15 p.m. The Gillespie Holiday Sparkle will be held Dec. 21.
The Mt. Olive Christmas Festival will be held Dec. 14. Festival lights will be displayed in the City Park. Thanks to generous donations, two live reindeer are scheduled to be at the event.
The Staunton Seasonal Spectacular will be held Dec. 6-7. Santa, Mrs. Clause and the Grinch will be around town during both days of the event. Santa will also be available during Snacks with Santa at the Oltmann Center on Dec. 7. A side-by-side parade will be held at 7:45 p.m., followed by the tree lighting at 8 p.m. and Citizen of the Year announcement.
