It’s certainly looking a lot like Christmas throughout Polk County.
One favorite local tradition, which raises money for worthy causes, kicked off this week.
The Bolivar Area Chamber of Commerce’s Light the Park Christmas light display in Dunnegan Memorial Park opened Friday night, Nov. 26.
Open from 6 to 9 p.m. every evening through Thursday, Dec. 30, the event features light displays sponsored by Bolivar businesses and organizations.
“This year’s event will feature more displays and additional lights,” Judy Ross with the Bolivar Area Chamber of Commerce said in a news release. “Visitors may also tune their radios to a specific setting to listen to Christmas music and messages while driving through the park.”
Ross said that while the drive-through display is free of charge, local not-for-profit organizations and groups collect donations at the front gate nightly.
In 2020, more than $13,000 was raised for the participating organizations, according to Ross.
A calendar of participating organizations, and the night their group will collect donations, is available online at BolivarMoNews.com.
Those collecting donations the opening week and the groups to benefit from the donations include the following:
For more information, call the chamber at 417-326-4118 or email info@bolivarchamber.com. Look for daily updates on the chamber’s social media.
Festival of Christmas set for Dec. 5
The 41st annual Festival of Christmas, sponsored by Southwest Baptist University and Community Outreach Ministries, will be presented at 6 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 5, in Mabee Chapel on SBU’s Bolivar campus. Community members also will be able to meet new SBU President Rick Melson from 5 to 6 p.m. in the lobby of Mabee Chapel.
Bolivar area residents are invited to observe the Christmas season at this free holiday program, which brings together the churches of Bolivar and surrounding communities for a spectacular Christmas celebration each year.
“SBU is honored to host this community event as we celebrate our Savior’s birth,” Melson said in a news release. “Tammy and I look forward to welcoming you to SBU during the festive Christmas season.”
Christmas music will be provided by the Festival Choir, Flute Ensemble, SBU Wind Symphony and Chamber Orchestra. The Bolivar High School Concert Choir, directed by Morgan DeClue, and the Bolivar Intermediate School Choir, directed by Kris McClard, also will be performing.
As part of the festival tradition, Community Outreach Ministries will collect a special offering to be used to purchase food for the Polk County Food Pantry to help those in need throughout the year. The pantry serves around 400 families representing 1,000 individuals each month.
For more information about the Festival of Christmas, call 417-328-1644.
Ringing in the season
Community Outreach Ministries and the Salvation Army are officially out at local businesses for their annual Christmas Kettle Campaign.
According to a COM news release, the campaign is used by COM to help local families with needs, including rent, utilities, transportation, medication and more throughout the year.
In 2021, COM used this funding to provide live kits to all area schools, the release stated.
The funding also supplied propane to provide heat for people during last year’s winter storm, and it allowed the organization to offer laundry vouchers to families, the release added.
The first day of the public Kettle Campaign was Friday, Nov. 26, and the campaign will continue through Christmas Eve.
Donations can also be accepted online at bolivarcom.org/bellringing.
COM is currently recruiting volunteers to ring the bells at Bolivar’s Walmart and Wood’s Supermarket. Those interested may sign up for shifts on COM’s website.
For this year, there are special COVID-19 precautions listed on the website, including watching a safety training video, wearing masks and gloves for those unvaccinated, having hand sanitizer and stepping away from those approaching to donate to maintain a 6 feet distance.
This year’s fundraising goal is $28,000.
For more information, contact Micah Titterington at info@bolivarcom.org or 417-326-2769.
Chamber nighttime parade set for Dec. 4
Now is the time to enter this year’s nighttime Christmas parade.
Organized by the chamber, the parade will begin at 5:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 4, but the deadline to enter is Wednesday, Dec. 1.
Businesses, groups, churches and organizations are encouraged to enter floats, vehicles, walkers and horse units in the annual event that begins on the SBU campus, travels through the Bolivar Square, and concludes at the SBU campus.
There is no fee to enter.
This year’s parade theme is “The Light of Christmas.” Cash prizes will be awarded for the best floats. Bands and equestrian entries will be judged and ranked and, of course, there will be Santa.
“This is the first year the chamber has ever hosted an evening parade,” parade chair Jared Taylor said in a chamber news release. “People have expressed a lot of excitement for the new parade format and entries are coming in quickly. We’re all looking forward to the lights, the fun and the crowds the parade will bring to Bolivar.”
The release noted more than 6,000 people attend the annual event, according to chamber records.
Taylor said the chamber is working very closely with the Bolivar City Fire Department and Bolivar Police Department to put many safety precautions in place. Specific entry guidelines instruct entrant vehicles and floats to be lighted, maintain proper distance and if using a generator, follow strict safety standards.
“We also are enforcing no candy, papers or other objects be thrown from floats and moving vehicles,” he added. “It’s just so important this year that spectators do not run into the parade route to pick up candy and other items. We want to be safe.”
Walkers may accompany moving vehicles and floats and they may hand or drop candy near spectators, but even then, Taylor said all will be monitored. He also said the chamber will make many efforts to provide reflective safety materials for those walking and helping with the event.
“Fun and safe,” said Taylor. “That’s what we want the parade to be.”
A registration form for the parade is available on the chamber’s website at bolivarchamber.com or by calling the chamber at 417-326-4118 or emailing info@bolivarchamber.com.
Three days left to sign up for Share Your Christmas
Time is running out for those who wish to sign up for the annual Share Your Christmas distribution sponsored by Polk County Christian Social Ministries.
According to a PCCSM news release, only three days remain to register – Monday, Nov. 29, Wednesday, Dec. 1, and Monday, Dec. 6.
Registration will be from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on those dates, per a news release.
Community Outreach Ministries is doing prescreening, the release stated. Applicants need to bring the intake form received from COM to the PCCSM “free store” to finish registration.
The release stated the online application has been closed to allow PCCSM to get vouchers in the mail. Over 300 families have already registered to receive food and gift bags.
Distribution dates have been set for Wednesday and Thursday, Dec. 15 and 16.
Volunteers are needed for the week of distribution to help set up, sort and sack, a release added. Cart pushers will be needed on Wednesday and Thursday.
Groups or organizations that will be doing an activity or drive to benefit Share Your Christmas should contact Leta Gass at the free store or by phone at 417-327-2615.
If you have any questions, send a message on the SYC Facebook page at Share Your Christmas – Polk Co., MO. You can also call 417-326-7179 on Mondays and Wednesdays through Monday, Dec. 6.
Santa arrives at Humane Society
Santa will be at Polk County Humane Society for pictures with pets and family from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 11. For a donation of $15, people can get a picture and frame.
The Humane Society is located at 4404 S. 82nd Road, Bolivar. For more information, call 417-777-3647.
Toys for Tots dropoffs
Area Toys for Tots dropoff sites will include Crown Tractor, Quarles Supply Company, Walmart, Polk County Library, the Polk County Courthouse, Peddler’s Post, Carter’s Jewelers and Keeling Financial Services.
For more information, call Fred Bass at 417-399-2331 or Sgt. Jose Camarena at 818-235-7627.
Have a holiday event you’d like publicized in the BH-FP? Send details to news@bolivarmonews.com.
