Holiday spirit comes alive at Christmas on the Square

Families attended annual event Saturday in downtown Versailles

The Morgan County R-2 School District's children's choir perform "We Wish You a Merry Christmas" during Christmas on the Square Saturday in Versailles.
The Morgan County R-2 School District's children's choir perform "We Wish You a Merry Christmas" during Christmas on the Square Saturday in Versailles.

An annual holiday tradition returned to downtown Versailles Saturday with Christmas on the Square.

Sponsored by the Versailles Area Chamber of Commerce, Christmas on the Square was held for the first time the event has been scheduled during the day since chamber office manager Mignon Dureka has been involved during the last six years.

The event began with the arrival of Santa Claus aboard a local department's fire truck. He then set up shop at a new venue this year: the Morgan County Museum.

Dureka expected about 200 kids to attend, and all the children received an individually wrapped bag of candy and stuffed animal after their visit with Mr. and Mrs. Claus.

The museum also had an 1880's sleigh on display where families could snap photographs.  

In addition to meetings with Santa, tours of the museum and pictures by some of its ancient artifacts, visitors also bid on a variety of items available through the chamber's silent auction at the museum.

More than 20 food and craft vendors lined up on Monroe Street and in the downtown area during the event. The Morgan County R-2 School District children's choir performed a variety of popular Christmas carols during the event, and a pumpkin-style carriage took guests on free rides through the downtown area.

All activities were free, and Dureka and chamber members and organizers appreciate the generosity of local businesses and individuals who were candy sponsors and donated items to the silent auction, one of the last big fundraisers for the chamber this year.