About 170 people marched downtown on High Street Sunday afternoon with the simple idea of uniting the community through song.
They walked from the Cole County Courthouse to the Capitol steps, singing traditional Christmas carols from "Silent Night" to "Jingle Bells."
Local artist Jenny Neff came up with the idea about three weeks ago. Friend Betsy Dudenhoeffer, whose background is in marketing, helped Neff with the publicity. They used Facebook to get out the word about the first-time event.
This year has been tabbed "The Year of Outrage," by some media. Neff said she came up with the idea after recent news accounts of anger and sadness in protests.
"I thought it would be nice right around Christmas to have an example of people coming together, not because they were hurt or angry, but out of joy and out of celebration," Neff said.
"This is just a Christmas march," Dudenhoeffer said. "That's all it is. We just invited all people - all races, all denominations, all genders - just to come and sing Christmas songs through the streets of Jefferson City. It's just to spread joy, peace, love, just to bring light to the world. There's been so much darkness lately."
A few downtown shoppers smiled or looked quizzically at the group, with its Jefferson City police escort. Some of the carolers wore Santa hats. Others pushed strollers with bundled up babies, and some held dogs. Capitol Police also helped, making sure the carolers safely cross Capitol Avenue in front of the statehouse.
"Look around. What a great bunch of people. How exciting is this?" said Wardsville resident Sherry Rackers. "It's that time of year."
Annette Driver said she attended the event "because it makes us feel good. It makes our community feel good."
Afterward, some carolers were already talking about making it an annual event.