Editor’s note: Carol Fritz submitted all but the last two photographs. Valerie and John Mallo drove from Belleview, IA, with their dog, Jack. He offered kisses to Santa. The Editor captured faces at the schoolhouse door.
The theme of “Bring Joy and Cheer to a Bad Year!” was embraced by nearly 600 visitors to Heritage Canyon, 515 N. 4th Street, Fulton, IL, on Saturday, December 5, 2020. Countless adults thanked members of the Early American Crafters, for hosting a day-into-night Christmas Walk, from 2:00 to 6:00 p.m. COVID-19 restrictions dictated a modified approach to viewing the 11 canyon buildings. Wearing a mask and keeping a social distance helped keep everyone safe.
Those who attended at dusk or later walked beneath a clear sky, glittered with stars, Jupiter, and Saturn. Their paths were marked by lantern light.
Carol Fritz, member of the Early American Crafters, reported, “What an event that was! A big thank you to all you Crafters, who made the Christmas Walk an event that brought a lot of big smiles to a lot of people. Not knowing how many people actually attended, I’m guessing close to 600 people. We didn’t run out of cookies until the very end and had about six cups of cocoa left. The donation boxes were filled, which tells me how much people appreciated us making this dismal year a little more ‘normal’ for them. Many families thanked me for doing the festival.”
Generous donations yielded over $1300, indicating the level of appreciation felt by attendees.
Visitors walked by and peeked into doors and windows of decorated buildings without entering. Early American Crafters were inside, doing holiday activities. They chatted with guests and invited them to take photographs of the winter canyon or Santa Claus and his elves. Left-to-right are Amy Mitchell, Fulton; Ron McVey, Cananche, IA; Angie VanZuiden, Fulton; Laura Bailey, Goose Lake, IA.
The Town Hall (at the top of the venue) had a one-way entrance and exit, so people could safely receive complimentary bagged cookies and hot drinks. It was the cookie and cup tallies that determined the 600 count. Those people drove many miles to attend. So many were delighted to enjoy the Christmas season in the canyon. Most area towns cancelled their celebrations this year.
Heritage Canyon hummed with live music. In the Town Hall, James Perron, left, played guitar and entertained as people filed through.
The Doctor and his son, below, played ukuleles outside the blue, Doctor’s Office. Pictured left-to-right are Charles and Walker Avery and Lindsay Barnhart, wife of Charles.
Near the Church, Coral Flikkema and daughter Kiki sang carols in the Gazebo, with the public joining.
Although the Church foyer was open to the night, the sanctuary entrance was gated. Listeners enjoyed acoustic guitarist Kim Snook, of Maquoketa, IA, left, accompanied by vocals from Annis Baer, right.
The Blacksmith Shop housed a handful of Wapsi Ranglers, interpreters from Camanche, IA. While the (imaginary) blacksmith went next door to the Iron Works building, to replace a missing reindeer shoe for Santa, the Ranglers minded the shop. They passed that time playing poker. Below, left-to-right are Tom Ehlers, Maquoketa, IA; Abby Ehlers, Clinton, IA; Larry Holms, Clinton; Mike McGinity, Kirkwood, IL. Matt Van Pelt also attended.
The Editor portrays the teacher. She spent 4.5 hours standing at the locked screen door, conversing with 600 people.
“What town do you live in? Do you have a Christmas tree up yet? What grade are you in? Did you talk to Santa?
After dark, masked faces suddenly loomed out of the night.
“We are so delighted you came to the Canyon today! Merry Christmas!”
