Full slate of Christmas festivities set for Ash Grove

“Christmas through the Decades” included at this year’s holiday extravaganza, this Saturday
This year’s Ash Grove Christmas festivities this Saturday will not stop at just the annual parade, but will also include a day filled with activities. The day is practically chocked full of Christmas merriment  across town. Starting at 10 a.m., the Nathan and Olive Boone Homestead will host “Christmas Through the Decades,” where people can experience a pioneer Christmas; and the Back Forty (the recently opened extension of Maple Lane Catering) will have Do It Yourself Ornaments from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Other highlights include photos with the Grinch and Santa at the Farmhouse Bar and Grill from noon to 2 p.m., and the Tin Ceiling Event Venue will host the Little Miss Merry Christmas Pageant from 2-3 p.m.
After the parade, which is hosted by the Ash Grove Masonic Lodge #100 and begins at 4 p.m., there will be free arcade games and hot chocolate at Odds and Ends Tables; and Center Baptist Church will give out free hot dogs at City Hall Pocket Park. State Representative Bishop Davidson will read “The Polar Express” at City Hall, while the Masonic Lodge will hand out chili at the downtown lot. Also at the downtown lot, First Baptist Church will present the Christmas Story.
Parade route will be about a mile, end at Main Street lot:
The parade route will be almost one mile long; parade entries will gather at Ash Grove High School’s Harris Sports Complex beginning at 3 p.m. From there, they will move south along Davis Avenue before turning right and going west along Prairie Lane. The route will briefly run north along Maple Lane before proceeding west again on Walker Street; it will then continue along Main Street.
For the safety of younger parade-goers, parade entrants are asked not to throw candy along the parade route; instead, an old tradition of “treating” youngsters after the parade is being revived. At the end of the parade, children can come to the floats and other parade entries where they will be able to collect candy. Clear Creek Family Dental will pass out stockings to children at the downtown lot with which they can gather candy from the parade entrants.
The tradition of treating was founded by Nathan Boone and his wife, Olive, said Todd Wilkinson, a member of the Masonic lodge.
“’Treating’ was a tradition that Nathan (and) Olive Boone (started),” Wilkinson said. “Homestead SHS Director Mike Busekrus found in a 1930 newspaper account of an Ash Grove Christmas celebration.”
There are almost two dozen floats entered into the parade, but Wilkinson said he expects there will be more on the day of the parade.
To get the best experience, make a day trip into Ash Grove:
Wilkinson said that with so many activities to choose from, people should spend all day Saturday to enjoy the full experience.
"Make a day of it,” he said. “Visit the Boone Homestead for their Christmas Through the Decades program, then come downtown to the parade and stay for the activities, including the Christmas tree lighting ceremony at 5 p.m.”
Christmas Through the Decades, Wilkinson added, shows what happens when businesses and organizations unite for a common goal.
“Many local businesses and organizations have come together this year is to channel Christmases past in Ash Grove,” he said. “If you want to experience a true old-fashioned, small-town Christmas, this event is for you.”
For those who cannot make the parade in person, it will also be live streamed on the Ash Grove, Mo. YouTube channel. A complete list of events is available at the Ash Grove Masonic Lodge #100 Facebook page.