Kimmswick marched into the holiday season with a perfect day, said Henry Schwartz, the Kimmswick Merchants Association president.
Approximately 1,250 people attended the annual Christmas parade on Nov. 22, with many staying in town for the Open House that followed, Schwartz said.
“It was a wonderful day,” he said. “You couldn’t have scripted better weather. For it to rain two days prior, and then that morning, you get up and have sunshine. Everything was perfect. We couldn’t have asked for a better event.”
The Kimmswick Merchants Association organizes numerous weekend events throughout November and December, including the Christmas Parade and Open House.
Nadine Garland, a Kimmswick Historical Society member, was the grand marshal for the parade. The procession started at the Windsor Elementary School parking lot, 6003 Fifth St., went down Market Street to the Blue Owl Restaurant and Bakery, 6116 Second St. The parade continued onto Second, Mill and Front streets before ending near the Christmas Haus store, 311 Elm St.
“The greatest thing about this parade is that you can catch it on one side of town on Market and then run over to Elm and catch it all again,” Schwartz said. “It is like two parades in one.”
Schwartz said about 20 organizations participated in the parade, including the Oscar Mayer Wienermobile and was capped by Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus riding in the horse-drawn trolley rides provided by Nobleshire Carriages of Millstadt, Ill.
Schwartz said the Wienermobile broke off from the parade to park outside of the LaChance Winery and Restaurant off Second Street.
“They were there until 1 o’clock, letting people take pictures and tours,” he said.
The festivities did not end with the parade.
The day also featured free Nobleshire carriage rides, which are paid for by the Merchants Association; free photo opportunities with Santa Claus in the Santa House near the corner of Front and Market streets; a tree lighting; performances by Rivertown Sound Quartet; most businesses and restaurants were open later than usual; and luminaries were lit throughout town and along Hwy. K.
“It was a really good day,” Schwartz said. “The luminaries lit the town up. It was picturesque. We got those out in plenty of time, and they were ready to go on when the sun went down.”
Schwartz said the carriage rides, which had pickups and drop-offs at The Christmas Haus and Mississippi Mud Gallery and Gifts, were popular.
“It was probably one of the busiest days it has had as far as the amount of people riding around town,” he said. “That went wonderfully.”
Schwartz said the Santa House was a popular destination.
“I would say (Santa) had no time to relax,” he said. “We added a window this year so people could see in and out. It is a little more picturesque and looks a little more like a Hallmark card.”
Schwartz also said the weather, which was warm for most of the day, also cooperated in the evening for the tree lighting near the Visitor’s Center.
“It was almost perfect,” he said. “During the day, you were wearing a T-shirt, and by the evening when we were lighting the tree, people were starting to wrap back up and buy hot chocolate. You couldn’t have written it out any better.”
Schwartz said a new addition to the parade and open house, the Kimmswick Stocking Stroll, had a strong first year. He said 200 tickets were sold for the event modeled after the town’s popular Cookie Walk.
Those who purchased tickets received more than $100 worth of stocking stuffer items by visiting all of the 13 participating businesses.
“The stocking stroll was wonderful,” Schwartz said. “By 9:45 in the morning by the Visitor’s Center, there were more than 30 people in line to pick up their bags and maps to get going. It was a great event. People got around town, and they were really happy with the event and how it played out.
“There is a lot of interest in it for next year. It is something we are going to explore growing it and maybe make it a standalone event.”
The parade and open house were the second of numerous weekend holiday events held throughout November and December in Kimmswick. The celebrations began with Deer Widow’s Weekend on Nov. 14-16 and the Small Business Saturday shopping event on Nov. 29.
The Kimmswick Cookie Walk, a ticket event that is sold out, will be held starting today, Dec. 4, through Sunday.
The Kimmswick Old Fashioned Christmas Festival also will be held this weekend. Many of the town’s businesses and restaurants will be open until 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday.
The festival will feature performances by the Rivertown Sound Quartet from 5-8 p.m. Friday; noon to 3 p.m. Saturday; and 1-3 p.m. Sunday.
Santa Claus will be available for photo opportunities from 3-8 p.m. Friday; 2-8 p.m. Saturday; and noon to 4 p.m. Sunday at the Santa House.
Candlelight tours will be held at the Historic Burgess-How House, 219 Elm St., from 5-9 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and 1-4 p.m. Sunday.
“The Christmas Festival has so many different things going on at all different times,” Schwartz said. “I would definitely encourage people to get down here during that time. It is a good feeling with a good Christmas vibe.”
The Kimmswick Merchants Association wraps up its holiday events with Christmas Elf Hunts from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Dec. 13-14 and Dec. 20-21. It cost $10 to participate in the event, and tickets may be purchased at gokimmswick.com.
For information about upcoming events, call 636-464-6464.