Christmas spirit comes to life

Annual Living Windows event includes first-time Landing activities

Connie Wade, right, waves at children Friday in Carrie's Hallmark during Living Windows. Wade was Mrs. Claus during the event.
Connie Wade, right, waves at children Friday in Carrie's Hallmark during Living Windows. Wade was Mrs. Claus during the event.

With temperatures finally in the range to help inspire a Christmas spirit, the typical large crowds of bundled-up area residents descended on the streets of downtown Jefferson City on Friday night for the annual Living Windows event.

Along with the entertainers performing in store windows and the tours of the Governor's Mansion, some of those who came downtown also enjoyed a hayride with Clydesdales pulling the wagon.

The first year of the extended season at the Missouri State Museum/Jefferson Landing Site meant the first time the museum was open for visitors during Living Windows.

"For several years, we had a short season and closed in September," museum Director Tiffany Patterson said. "We're open now at this time of the year, and we wanted to be involved in this great event."

At the museum, visitors were able to make Christmas ornaments and take them home, hear stories about what it was like during Christmas in the 19th century, and see and play with toys from that time period.

Among the visitors was a Holts Summit family experiencing Living Windows for the first time.

"Seeing how the community comes together and celebrating Christmas is wonderful," Joyce Blythe said.

Nine-year-old Frank Clark was fascinated as museum workers showed him how to make a cutout turkey and make a wooden boy look like he's walking on a sidewalk.

"His eyes have been sparkling since we started," Blythe said.

"Do you remember the first thing we saw?" she asked Frank.

"Dasher!" he replied.

"He wondered how come Santa Claus would let one of his reindeer come down here," Blythe laughed.

"I think for the first year we hope this will get people to realize we are going to be open longer," Patterson said. "Things have changed over the last several years, and we try to change with the times. We have a lot of good stories to tell."

Friday afternoon, the Downtown Jefferson City Association announced window contest winners.

Judges' Choice Category:

First Place - Saffees

Second Place - American Shoe

Third Place - Midwest Travel

People's Choice Category:

First Place - Saffees

Second Place - Tolson's Drug

Third Place - Midwest Travel

More holiday events will take place downtown this afternoon with Governor's Mansion Candlelight Tours from 2-4 p.m. and the 77th annual Jefferson City Jaycees Christmas Parade scheduled to start at 4:30 p.m.