Christmastime in Ripley County: Festive Lights...Food...Parades...Shopping...And Much More

Businesses and community organizers are pulling out all the stops for a memorable Christmas, holding fast to time-honored holiday traditions, creating new ones (and resurrecting a few from days gone by).

Christmas Comes To Doniphan, (with stops along the way), bringing a bag loaded with activity for 2024.

Christmas

Decorating Contests

After a successful Nov. 30 kick-off, storefronts in Doniphan and homes ..across Ripley County already reflect the season with Christmas art, lighting, and creative vistas, many of them competing for prizes and bragging rights.

There are several reasons for those who like to decorate and make their own tasty treats during the holidays to go “all out” this season in the spirit of friendly competition.

While visiting local businesses to examine their displays and shop for great discounts, be sure to pick up a map for the guided lighting tour, or access it online on the Christmas Comes to Doniphan Facebook page. There you can also vote your choices for the business with the best-dressed window and the most picturesque home display.

The Ripley County Chamber of Commerce has placed a dozen shapely Virginia pine trees on the Ripley County Courthouse lawn, and each one has been decorated by a local business or club to represent one of the “Twelve Days of Christmas.”

Local landmarks, Heritage Homestead is all dressed up in its Christmas finery, and Heritage Park is again lit up with traditional festive holiday decor.

Christmas

Recipe Contest

In addition to the two special Christmas decorating contests which are currently in play, today is the first day in a Prospect-News sponsored race to find the best holiday recipes. (See related article in this issue).

Christmas

Parades Of Lights

There will be three opportunities to see a parade of Christmas lighting this season. Two of them will take place Dec. 7: one in Naylor at 6 p.m., and the other in Grandin at 5:30 p.m.

Doniphan will host its annual Christmas parade of lights Dec. 14 at 6 p.m. The parade will mark the grand finale of “Christmas Comes to Doniphan.”

Early line-up at 4:30 p.m., is scheduled for floats, and there is a 5 p.m., line-up for all other entries.

All parade entries must have a minimum of 100 lights (See tips for lighting on the Christmas Comes To Doniphan Facebook page).

Line-up for floats is at 4:30 p.m., but all parade entries must be present by 5 p.m., for placement.

Christmas Photos

With Santa

Immediately following the parade of lights in Doniphan, Santa will make an appearance at the Heritage Park gazebo. Anyone with a cell phone or camera is welcome to take a “selfie” with the popular character at no charge.

Santa will be at J.A. Ashby VFW Post 3485 for scheduled photo shoots through Dec. 7. Kids can get a picture taken with Santa for a sitting fee of $5. Take a digital photo with your phone, or arrange to have one emailed. Enter through the front door at VFW Hall on: Dec. 5-6, from 4 to 7 p.m., or Dec. 7 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Christmas At

Our House

The annual Christmas At Our House dinner theater is well into its second decade at West Point Pentecostal Church. The show runs for seven nights, from Dec. 8-14.

For those who are wishing for a way “in” to the sold-out event, consider offering your time as a server. Sign up is at 5 p.m., on any given night.

Volunteers who serve may also stay and partake of the meal afterward and enjoy the play (on a standing room only basis).

Christmas Craft

Fairs, Shopping

Throughout the season, shop Doniphan for in-store bargains and discounts, as well as crafts and other homemade gifts.

His Place Church, located east of Doniphan on Highway 160, will host its 9th Annual Christmas Craft Fair from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., on Dec. 7. They will offer a free gift to the first 50 who attend, and also sponsor a 50/50 raffle.

Also on Dec. 7 from noon to 4 p.m., will be the “Christmas on State Street” craft fair. Shop downtown Doniphan for holiday specials, and vendors with handmade, boutique and craft items will set up along State Street.

The following week, on Dec. 14, the Ripley County Farmer’s Market will host a craft fair at the old Current River Career Center (on Spring Street), from 11 a.m. until after the lighted Christmas parade.

Community

Christmas Feasting

On Dec. 7, pancakes and sausage will be served at the VFW Post until noon. Cost is $1 for each pancake or piece of sausage. Following breakfast, the post will serve lunch. Cost is $5 and includes a hotdog, chips, and a drink. Proceeds will go into the general fund to provide assistance for area vets.

A chili/soup cook-off will be held at 5:30 p.m., Dec. 14 at the Doniphan Community Center as part of “Christmas Comes to Doniphan.” Vote your favorite. Donations will be accepted with proceeds to go to the Christmas Comes to Doniphan fund. Bread for the event was donated by Subway.

The third annual free Community Christmas meal will be served Dec. 19, from 5 to 7 p.m., at St. Benedict Parish Hall. (See related article).

Christmas Giving

The annual Holland Coat Drive distribution will take place beginning at 3:30 p.m., Dec. 14 at St. Benedict Parish Hall.

Gently-used and new coats and food boxes will be distributed, families can enjoy a traditional Christmas meal, and children will get a chance to visit with Santa.

The Naylor American Legion will host its annual children’s Christmas party from 1 to 3 p.m., Dec. 21.