Santa to make first Holton appearance during Second Saturday

Santa will be making his first appearance in Holton as part of this coming weekend’s Second Saturday event.

November’s Second Saturday will include an art exhibit and “suitcase sale,” the annual parade of lights, the lighting of the Christmas lights on the Square, a visit from Santa Claus and a chance for northeast Kansans to begin their Christmas shopping at local businesses.

Members of Jackson County Arts are hosting a winter art exhibit and “suitcase sale” on Saturday, offering unique handmade gifts this Christmas season.

The exhibit and sale will be held from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Hutchins Building on the west side of the Square.

The winter art exhibit will include artwork by members of the club, and community members are also invited to display winter or Christmas-themed artwork during Saturday’s show. Artwork can be dropped off between noon and 3 p.m. that day and can be picked up at 7 p.m.

Art members will be offering a variety of homemade gifts during the “suitcase sale,” including original artwork, Christmas ornaments, fiber arts, jewelry and other handmade items. The prices for the gifts will be $20 or less.

Fred Appelhanz will be playing the dulcimer during the event, and his new poetry book will be available for sale. 

In addition, baked goods, including cinnamon rolls, holiday bread and cookies, will be sold. Free coffee will be available.

Law enforcement, city and county departments, area clubs, service organizations, churches, businesses, school groups and families are all encouraged to participate in the annual light-up parade that features vehicles and floats adorned in Christmas lights.

Line-up for the parade starts at 5:15 p.m. along the east side of Holton High School.

Participants are encouraged to be creative with their entries and light up vehicles, floats, farm machinery and other methods of transportation with holiday lights.

The Holton Recorder staff is compiling a list of all participants. Groups that have already confirmed for the parade include New Hope Family Church, Mayetta Methodist Church, Soldier Christian Church, Christ’s Church, First United Methodist Church, Buck’s Grove Church the Jackson County Commissioners and More than Lemons.

Cash prizes will be given to the top religious float, business float and club/organization float.

To sign up your business, group or family for the parade, contact David Powls at The Recorder at 785-364-3141 or send an e-mail to holtonrecorder@embarqmail.com.

At the conclusion of the parade at 6:30 p.m., a special lighting ceremony will be held to turn on all the Christmas lights that outline the top of the Town Square buildings.

Santa will take part in the parade and will be available for photos afterwards at the Jackson County Courthouse that evening, as well as Saturday, Dec. 12. Photographer Kiersten Luthi will be taking photos during both events, it was reported. Cookies and cocoa will be served at the Courthouse.

In addition, some local businesses will be open late Saturday evening so the public can start their Christmas shopping.

The Second Saturday events in Holton are sponsored by the Holton/Jackson County Chamber of Commerce and are made possible by a grant from the Kansas Department of Commerce Creative Arts Industries Commission.