The Editor took the event pictures. Educator Brian Bartoz submitted a few student photos at the end.
Two seven-year-old second graders from Northside School, became celebrities for the evening, on Saturday, December 2, 2023. Each won a coloring page contest, of “Santa and a [Christmas] tree,” the boy said. Wearing white, snowball cloaks, Austen McCartney and Charlotte Hook rode along Main Street in Santa’s horse-drawn sleigh between their fathers: Mike McCartney (Elle Honeycutt) and Jason (Amanda) Hook. Charlotte’s mother is Mrs. Holbrook.
Window artistry was displayed to exemplify “A Storybook Christmas.” Director Callie Hamstra stated, “All the participants’ windows look awesome! Stop down[town] and check them all out!” Winners of the Main Street Window Decorating Contest were
1st Place: the blue violet, 115 E. Main
2nd Place: Tegeler Accounting Services, 222 W. Main
3rd Place: TBK Bank 211 W. Main.
Some of the 20+ entries are photographed below in parade sequence. Before 6:00 p.m., Junior High Principal Joe Robbins snaked barrel train cars around the intersection of E. Main and N. Madison Streets. This parade entry held costumed Morrison Art Club members. Ron George of Como, IL, loans the train to Robbins for events.
Morrison Police Department Sergeant Kevin Soenksen was the lead vehicle, followed by The American Legion Color Guard (Ken Petersen, Jim Prombo (Legion Flag), Bob Brands (U. S. Flag), and Larry Saling. Next came Mayor Scott Vandermyde, driven by Kunes Country employee Ellis, and a second Kunes vehicle transporting the Grand Marshall, Brenda and John Martin.
Next in line were 7th and 8th grade Basketball Cheerleaders (2 vehicles); Dykstra Family Cattle – Winners of the Elfin Magical Award;
Servepro; Farmers National Bank; Crossroads Community Church; Lions Club International;
Knights of Columbus; Cub Scouts Pack 328 and Boy Scout Troop 96;
Bi-County Bulldogs Special Olympics Team – Winner of The Golden Ticket Award; Morrison Music Theater Association; Emmanuel Church – Winner of the Christmas Vacation Award; Advantage One Credit Union;
MCH Ambulance; Homestead Assisted Living & Memory Care; Morrison Fire Department;
Angie VanderVinne State Farm Insurance; Morrison Vet Clinic;
Morrison Art Club – Spectacular Snowflake Award;
Santas’ Sleigh, included Susie Snowflake (Charlotte Hook) and Jack Frost (Austen McCartney); MHS Driver’s Education Car (Teacher Brian Bartoz.)
These photographs from Bartoz include Key Club members at the Santa House.
