Christmas parade draws crowd

    With limited events this holiday season, thanks to concerns around COVID-19, Friday’s Country Christmas Festival in Imperial drew several to the outdoor events.
    Capped off by the 6 p.m. lighted Christmas parade, children were also able to visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus, who passed out homemade cookies made by Jeannine Cox and Arlys Cupp. They were stationed in front of the city’s lighted Christmas tree.
    Nearby, a live Nativity scene reminded people of the true meaning of Christmas. The John Baseley family depicted the Holy Family. A donkey, sheep and pony added to the scene. Baseley is vicar at Imperial’s Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church.
    Six entries, several with multiple vehicles, took a different route for the lighted parade. With concerns if a parade would even happen, coordinator Chris Krausnick said they were unable to get a permit to hold it on Broadway like last year.
    However, she felt the new route starting at the city office and covering streets west of there, allowed more people to watch from their homes.
    It also passed by the Imperial Manor and Parkview-Heights, whose residents were brought out to enjoy it, and was a “nice surprise,” said CEO Eric Haider.
    The three parade place winners, who received Chamber Bucks, included:
    1st The Nick and Kory Fowler and Brandon and Kelly Kuenning families, $175.
    2nd Chase County Community Hospital, $125.
    3rd Imperial Credit Union, $75.
    There were other Christmas decorating contests in Imperial for business storefronts and light poles.
    Platinum T-Shirt and Embroidery at 410 Broadway took first for storefronts, winning $50 in Chamber Bucks. Second place and $25 went to Veterinary Services on Highway 61.
    Only one entry came in for light poles, and was won by Ray and Joyce Malleck for the snowman display in front of the FV Coop station at 2nd and  Broadway Sts. They won $50 in Chamber Bucks.
    All of Friday’s events were sponsored by the Imperial Chamber of Commerce.
Residential lighting contest
    Jan Elliott is coordinating Imperial’s residential Christmas lighting contest for the chamber, from which three winners in one division will earn $175, $150 and $75 in Chamber Bucks.
    Homes that want to be judged must be finished decorating by Dec. 19 so judging can take place the next evening.
    Entries are asked to be in by Dec. 15 so judges don’t miss anyone. Call Elliott at 308-882-0236 to register.

To read more on the Christmas events in Imperial, go to: https://etypeservices.com/Imperial%20RepublicanID359/