Bells, Boots and Buggies kicks off Peabody holiday season
By LESLIE LaFOY
Peabody Prairie Christmas Chairman
We're just days away from Peabody's Prairie Christmas 2007 celebration. This year our theme is "Bells, Boots and Buggies" and the big day is Dec. 8. If you haven't already put the day-long event on the family calendar
There's going to be a parade down Walnut Street. And yes, Santa will be riding in it to officially ring in Peabody's Christmas holidays. That's tradition.
But we're carrying on other traditions this year, too. Father Christmas and local dignitaries will read stories for the children. There also will be make-it-and-take-it crafts, leather craft, rag dolls, etc., and activities and games for the younger set.
And for all of us who are young at heart — we're bringing in the Kansas State Historical Society's cowboy boot exhibit.
The Sweet Adelines will be here to perform traditional carols, and several of our local businesses are doing tablescapes to inspire your own holiday table settings. There will be all new craft demonstrations, too.
And of course there will be food. As has become tradition, we'll kick the day off with the Muffin Bar. The best homemade muffins around, baked by the best of Peabody's cooks, as well as hot coffee and cocoa, and great conversation with our friends and neighbors. Is there any better way to start a day?
The Main Street Association is bringing back — by popular demand — the renowned Cookie Walk fund-raiser. We supply the plate, the cover wrap and the goodies, and you get your Christmas baking done in one full swoop simply by picking what you want from the trays laden with the best cookies, bars, and treats to be had anywhere.
Peabody Historical Society is having a soup and pie lunch. If you haven't done one these culinary extravaganzas before, you might want to be there early. If soup and pie isn't your preference, then you'll probably want to head on down to Santa Fe Park and partake of some mouth watering Fat & Sassy western burgers and barbecue fare. No throwing elbows or pushing and shoving; they've promised to have plenty.
The Chuckwagon Supper will be at the Peabody Senior Center again this year. You most definitely do not want to miss this meal! Between the spectacular food, the entertainment, and the lively conversation, this event is always the talk of the town.
There will be brand new activities this year, too. The first of them are the buggy rides around downtown Peabody. Yes, we've arranged to have a carriage here for several hours in the afternoon and we hope that you'll pile the family in for a leisurely trip around our historic downtown. Our historic downtown which, by the way, will be decorated with — ta-dah! — our brand new "Welcome to Peabody" holiday banners.
Also on the new traditions list is the Downtown Showdown. This roping contest will feature three-person teams from the local businesses squaring off against each other with lassos — and considering the challenges we've heard flying back and forth — a good deal of confidence. While we can't vouch for the skill levels of the competitors, we are thinking that their efforts will be at the very least entertaining. Come out to cheer (or jeer) the team of your choice!
And the last — but certainly not the least — of our new Peabody Prairie Christmas traditions is the fun to be had after dinner at the newly re-opened Peabody Lanes. A bit of exercise to work off the day's culinary excesses and a lot of laughter with friends, neighbors, and family members. We think it's a pretty good way to end a day.
The precise timetable and locations of the day's events has been published in a brochure which is available in the bandanna-draped buckets prominently displayed on the counters of various businesses around Peabody. You'll notice as you peruse the schedule that the Bells, Boots and Buggies activities are either free (most of them) or discounted for those who purchase a high quality, sure to be a collector's item $3 event pin.
Yes, an entire day of family fun and community holiday spirit for just $3 per person.
Pins can be purchased from the storekeeper right there on the spot, from Kristen Hooper at the Main Street office in the city building, or from any member of the Main Street Association.
We hope that, as you're reading the brochure, you'll note not only all the activities, but also the names of the businesses and organizations that have made our holiday event all that it is for all of us. Without their unfailing and generous support of our committee's efforts, without their bedrock belief that Peabody is a very special place with very special people, the Bells, Boots and Buggies event would not be possible.
See you all downtown Dec. 8!
