Despite rain and chilly temperatures Saturday, people came from near and far to Cottonwood Falls for the annual Chase County Christmas celebration.
Activities kicked off at 7 a.m. with the Lions Club breakfast at the Emma Chase Cafe and continued at 10 a.m. with the second annual Fabulous Fruitcake Toss at the Millstream Motel and a remembrance service at Brown-Bennett-Alexander Funeral Home. There was a craft show at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in Strong City and crafts for children at the Chase County Historical Museum in Cottonwood Falls.
The afternoon brought more activities with the Holiday Homes Tour and later, horse-drawn buggy rides in downtown Cottonwood Falls. Children had a chance to hear Christmas stories at Jim Bell & Son and to see Santa and Mrs. Claus in their quarters at 311 Broadway St.
The Clauses had some visitors from far away. Five-year old Jordan Reazin came all the way from San Francisco, Calif., to visit his grandparents. Jordan said he asked Santa for Indiana Jones and a Wall.E. Diane Foster and Beth Posey came from Butler County for the celebration; it was their first time for the event, they said.
The horse-drawn buggy rides drew a considerable crowd, with a line stretching down the block. Jan Sommerfeld and her husband, Winston, were offering the rides. The two live in Newton, and travel around with their buggy and horses to different festivals. This is their fifth year at the Chase County Christmas celebration.
“This festival has a special place in Winston’s heart,” Jan said. “He grew up in Cassoday, so this is one we look forward to every year.”
Chase County resident Bailey Gilbreath said this year’s crowd was smaller than in years past because of the disagreeable weather.
“It’s actually been pretty slow, because of the rain,” she said.
She said she was waiting for her favorite event, the lighting of the Chase County Courthouse and the Cottonwood River Bridge, which took place at 7 p.m.