Published: November 26, 2008 09:26 pm      

Rossville plans holiday weekend

ROSSVILLE — The Rossville Community Organization will host a three-day "Christmas in the Village" Dec. 5-7.

The event kicks off with a bake sale at 9 a.m. Dec. 5 at the Rossville Bank, followed by the 7th Annual Holiday Light Parade at 6 p.m. Dec. 6 and the annual Christmas Walk on Sunday.

There have been several additions and changes added to the excitement of the weekend this year.

"New this year is the Miracle on South Chicago Street Festival," said RCO President Kevin Young. "It will start at 4 p.m. and end at 8 p.m. on Dec. 6. There will be vendors, food, including the fire department¡¦s pork burgers, hot chocolate and more, in tents located at the corners of Maple and South Chicago and at the mini parks on both sides of South Chicago and Gilbert Streets."

He added that Santa will set up shop in the gazebo. Children also have the option to go to the Rossville Post Office and write a letter to Santa and, as an added feature, Christmas cards brought in that night will have "Merry Christmas from Rossville" stamped on the envelopes.

Several of the downtown businesses will be open, according to Chuck Cornell, owner of Art¡¦s Paperback & Crafts.

"We will be open until 7 p.m. Christmas Walk weekend," Cornell said. Normal hours for Art¡¦s Paperback & Crafts are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday.

The direction of the parade also is new this year. It will begin behind the high school, travel along Chicago Street south and end at Christman Park, according to Young. The Festival of Lights display will begin after the parade.

"A majority of the floats from the parade will be on display during the first weekend at Christman Park," said Young. "The light display, which has been added to, thanks to our hard-working Christmas committee members, will be on through the holidays.¡¨

Cash prizes will be awarded in two float categories: business/organizations, which includes churches and families; and friends or neighborhoods. First prize will be $300, second prize is $150 and third prize will be $50.

Tickets for the tour of homes is $10 per person. Tickets are available through any Rossville Community Organization member or the Rossville-Alvin Junior High Cross Country team member. Contact Kevin Young 217-474-1642 for more information.

Homes that will be included on Rossville Community Organization Holiday of Homes include:

ƒÞ Brandy Procopus, 204 Maple

ƒÞ Richard and Rosalee Higgins, 312 McKibben

ƒÞ Rob and Beckie Laumeier, 216 Maple

ƒÞ Tony and Kristi Maged, 302 McKibben

ƒÞ Allen and Tricia Willard, 110 Perry

ƒÞ Art¡¦s Paperback & Crafts, 105 S. Chicago

ƒÞ United Methodist Church 116 Maple

For more information contact Kevin Young at 217-748-1642 or visit the Web site at rossondixie.com.