24th Christmas on the River event starts Friday

The 24th annual Christmas on the River celebration starts Friday and continues through Sunday with many different activities happening throughout the weekend in the city of Chester.

The Chamber of Commerce Home Lighting Contest will be judged 6 p.m. Thursday evening, Nov. 29. Winners will be announced at the Community Christmas Program on Sunday afternoon at 2 p.m.

To register your home in the Lighting Contest, contact Linda Sympson at 826- 2721.

The Traveling Trophy for the best Store Front decorating will be up for grabs. Stores can get into the spirit and decorate for some friendly competition between neighboring store owners. The judging for this will be 5 p.m. Thurs., Nov. 29. Contact Patti Carter at 826-1430.

The lanes of the Historic Evergreen Cemetery will be lined with memorial signs naming loved ones who are being remembered. Signs will be staying up for the month of December.

A Quilt Show will again be sponsored by the Chester Tourism Commission at the St. Mary's Catholic School Gym, using the Church Street entrance. Quilts for the show will be accepted from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 30, 2012. Judging will take place on Friday afternoon. The prize winners will be announced at 4 p.m. The show will be open to the public Friday evening, Nov.30, from 4 p.m. - 7 p.m. and on Saturday, Dec.1, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Contact Linda Rader at 826- 3152.

The Memorial Hospital Gift Shop at 1900 State St. is filled with many items for Christmas. You may stop by and check it out. The Gift Shop is open 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. on Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday.

Our Randolph County Archives & Museum will "Deck the Halls with bright bows and greenery" to highlight "A few of our favorite things." There's a child's wooden rocker from the early 1900's The "Jingle Bells" on the doors bring "Joy to the World" and the angels will be seen on high and much more.

New to the museum is a long wooden work table with some tools from Fey Heating and Sheet Metal Shop. Several ledgers list those who opted for heating comfort.

The museum hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 1, and 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 2, 11 a.m.

The Stone Cottage is a 1850 circa building located at the corner of Taylor and Chestnut streets. The Chester Tourism Commission is in the process of restoring the cottage. A stone walkway has been installed with names on some of the stones. The commission has decorated the cottage for the holidays. Please stop by and see the walkway.

A Christmas Tree Decorating Contest will take place at Chester Skateland located at 160 Taggart Lane. There are three categories of trees: 12 years and younger, 13 years and older, and Organization/ Group/Business. A Best of Show, Most Original, Most Unique, and Most Traditional ribbon will be awarded in each category.

You may bring your tree and decorate it on Thursday, Nov. 29 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. and Friday, Nov. 30 from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. The tree display will be open for viewing Friday, 5 to 9 p.m.; Saturday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Contact Patti Carter at 826-1430.

St. Mary's Catholic School PTO will again host its Annual Chicken and Dumpling Dinner in the School Cafeteria on Friday, Nov. 30, from 4 to 7:30 p.m. Dinner Tickets are $7 for adults / $4.50 child/ Free 3 years and under. Carry Outs will be available. Contact St.Mary's PTO at 826-3486

One of the Highlights on Friday evening, will be the "Lighted Parade" at 7 p.m. It will start at the Chester High School and end at the Randolph County Courthouse. All entries must be lighted with lights powered by a generator, battery, or other manner to guarantee illumination. No person can be dressed to depict Santa or Mrs. Claus on the entry. They will appear at the very end of the parade. Holiday music, Christian or secular, will be the only kind of music allowed In the parade. For more information contact Patti Carter at 826-1430.

The Randolph County Courthouse, 1 Taylor St. will be decorated for the season and filled with arts and crafts on Friday, 5 to 9 p.m.; Saturday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sunday 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Contact Donna Ritter at 826-3706.

Chester Skateland at 160 Taggart Lane will also have arts and crafts on display at the same hours. Contact: Patti Carter at 826-1430.

The VFW Hall will have arts and crafts and vendors. Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Contact Sabrina or Judy at Herald Tribune at 826-2385.

On Saturday morning, Dec. 1, the Chester riverfront will be the place to be.

At 10 a.m., Santa Claus will arrive by barge on the Mighty Mississippi River to greet the children and their families. The Chester High School Band will perform songs of the season. Children and their families are invited to visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus at the Chester Boat Club at 51 Water St. from 10 a.m. to noon There they will receive treats from members of the Chester Boat Club and the Chester Chamber of Commerce. Remember to bring your camera. Contact: Linda Sympson at 826-2721.

St. John Lutheran School PTL will host its Annual Bazaar from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. A brunch will be served from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Saturday in the St. John Lutheran Parish Hall on High Street. Arts and crafts, coffeecakes, deli items, cookies, etc. will be available in addition to the brunch. Contact: Karen Doiron at 826-4160.

The Chester Public Library located at 733 State St. will be beautifully decorated keeping with the "A Christmas Carol" theme of the past, present and future. The library is open on Friday, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.

The "past" will have a tree about "The Civil War" to coordinate with the programs that are being held this fall. Names of Civil War veterans and related items will be displayed.

Another 'past" tree will pay tribute to the Titanic and will be feature items from The Friends of the Chester Library's "Last Night on the Titanic" event held last April. This tree will include nautical items and photos from this grand event.

The "present" themed trees decorations will be made by the children and youth who visit and use the library. Snowmen decorations will be featured in the children's library and other ornate displays throughout the library.

The "future" themed tree will be a version of a Christmas tree from the "Capitol" in the Hunger Games Trilogy. This futuristic series is very popular with youth and adult patrons. Contact Tammy Grah at 826-3711.

The Mississippi Valley Art Guild will have some of its members displaying their art work in three places during the weekend. Works will be in the windows of the old Benson Store, on Swanwick Street, the Please Don't Drink the Paint Shop on Stacy Street and the Chester Public Library on State Street. Contact Caroline Wylie at 615- 3419.

A Peaceful Walk Tour of some of the Churches in Chester will take place on Saturday, Dec. 1, from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. The churches include First Christian Church, West Buena Vista Street (behind the courthouse), First United Methodist Church at 871 State Street, First Presbyterian Church at 1750 State Street, St. John's Lutheran Church at 302 W. Holmes St. and Peace Lutheran Church 125 Opdyke St.

The churches are decorated for the Advent and Christmas season. There will be light refreshments at each church.

On Saturday evening, Cole Memorial Park will be home to carriage rides and lighted displays from 6 - 8 p.m. Groups, organizations, families and individuals are asked to set up a display for the season. The carriage rides will cost $2 per person and tickets will be available the night of the event. Contact: Vickie Geisen at 615-3145.

The Chester Tourism Commission will be hosting "A Dinner at the Cohen House" on Saturday, Dec. 1, at 6 p.m. Appetizers will be served at 6 p.m. followed by dinner at 7 p.m. Seating is limited and tickets for $25 must be purchased in advance and went on sale, Nov. 1. Contact Sandra Starr at 826- 5465 or Linda Sympson at 826-2721.

There will not be "A Holiday Home Tour" this year. It was sponsored by St Mary's School PTO. They hope to have the tour next year and it will be bigger and better.

Smith's Landing on the Chester Riverfront has been decorated for the holiday season by the Chester Beautification Commission. The commission is also in charge of the decorating of the planters along the streets of Chester.

An ever-popular Traditional Community Christmas Concert will be held on Sunday, Dec. 2, beginning with a prelude at 1:40 p.m and concert at 2 p.m. The concert will be held in Juergens Gym at Chester High School located at 1901 Swanwick St. The Chester Municipal Band, under the direction of Steve Colonel, will be on hand with local vocalists and instrumentalists to provide the program.

The concert this year will be dedicated to Mrs. Eileen Gordon, for her many years of Service to Christmas on the River and other civic events. This will be Eileen's last year with Christmas on the River, as she Is retiring this year. Contact Gwendy Garner at 826-4143. More information about the events can be found by contacting: Patti Carter@826- 1430. or the website HYPERLINK "mailto:christmasontheriver@ hotmail.com " christmasontheriver@hotmail. com.

The Hours

Nov. 30 | 5 p.m. - 9 p.m.Dec. 1 | 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.Dec. 2 | 11 a.m. - 3 p.m.