SCOTT: Hometown Christmas brings holiday spirit to life in Winchester

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By JESSICA BROWN

Winchester had its annual Hometown Christmas Celebration last Saturday. The Kiwanis Club started the day off by hosting a pancake and sausage breakfast at Winchester United Methodist Church. Other local churches joined in the festivities, with the First Christian Church hosting a cookie walk during the day and the First Baptist Church providing a soup and sandwich supper in the early evening.

Area and local vendors took the opportunity to set up booths at businesses around the town square, like Marshall Chevrolet, Hidden Honey, The Russet Cup and even the community room at City Hall.

The Winchester High School FFA braved the early morning chilly breeze at a booth they set up outside on the square and sold out of the Christmas wreaths they had all worked together to create. Some other vendors who chose to stay out in the open air were For Goodness Baked and Graciously Sweet.

In addition to light shopping, participants could view the model train collections of Winchester resident Tim Cannon, who had his trains up and running all day at the Winchester Depot. A community sing a long at the Old School Museum coincided with the arrival of Santa Claus on a firetruck, after which he met with children at his house on the square in the afternoon.

Before the official line up for the lighted parade organized by the Winchester High School’s Key Club, many of the participants worked putting the finishing touches on floats in the parking lot at Daws Funeral Home.

Main Street was lined with onlookers in their front yards, on the sidewalk, watching from vehicles and even standing in groups around the square to watch the parade. From students, churches, a horse drill team and Santa himself  to area businesses and traveling sports teams, the parade went off without a hitch.

During the parade Winchester locals Lorree Herring, Grant Dewitt and Kent Coultas gave a live broadcast on YouTube of the parade from right outside the Winchester Public Library.

Winchester Hometown Christmas concluded after the parade with the dedication of Memory Trees purchased in honor of the loved ones. Musical entertainment was provided by WHS drumline members after which brothers Gabe, Cole and Zac Howard sang Christmas hymns.