Villisca holds Christmas event
The Villisca Community Betterment Association (VCBA) recently hosted its first annual “Christmas in Villisca” event.
President of the VCBA, Alex Burton explained, “Last year we hosted what we thought would be a small gathering in the park for a tree-lighting of the city’s new artificial tree, but after nearly 100 people attended for hot chocolate, cookies, and tree-lighting, we decided to really step it up this year and grow the event to something more.”
This year, the VCBA, which has long-hosted photos with Santa for the community, decided to combine Santa’s visit and the tree-lighting into one event, as well as offer some new activities.
VCBA invited their business members to open Sunday afternoon as a part of a community-wide game of bingo. Community members of all ages hurried around Villisca, gathering a stamp on their “Business Bingo” card for each participating location they visited. More than 20 businesses, non-profits, and churches opened their doors to take part in the fun. Each stop offered its own festive activities. Highlights included cookie decorating at the Rialto Cafe, ornament making at the Villisca Public Library, jewelry making at Jackie’s Junk Jewelry Drawer, snowball races with residents and staff at the Villisca Good Samaritan Center, and drink specials at both the Number 6 Saloon and McCuen American Legion. Others offered small prizes, treats, or in-store discounts.
“Increasing foot traffic to our local businesses was one of the goals for the event, but the engagement, camaraderie and sense of community was just as important,” said Burton.
More than 80 participants returned a “black-out” bingo card to get their pick of prizes donated by a variety of VCBA members like Casey’s, Dollar General, FMTC, NEW Cooperative, Villisca United Methodist Church, Mount Calvary Lutheran Church, Villisca Lions Club, Needful Things, and the Villisca Housing Authority. All participants had their name entered in a raffle for one of several grand prizes as well.
Volunteers from the Enarson Elementary PTO hosted a free-will-donation Soup Supper in the Villisca Community Building from 4:30-6pm to benefit the VCBA. Generous donations of soup and all the fixings were made by Clarinda Regional Health System, Southwest Valley FFA, Bears Bakery, and VCBA supporters. Decorations for the dinner as well as photos with Santa were hand made and set up by the Southwest Valley Middle School Y-teen and Student Council members. The supper, like the whole day of events, was the result of a whole community coming together to contribute and volunteer where needed.
To wrap up the day of fun, everyone gathered in the Villisca City Park where grand prize winners of the business bingo raffle were announced. Including a 5-foot lighted wreath donated by Momentum Exteriors, and a two-night stay in one of two AirBnB rentals available through Villisca Properties LLC. Cookies and hot chocolate provided by the Montgomery County Memorial Hospital were also available as the community gathered to enjoy the lighting of the tree and holiday music on the square.
Burton added, “Of course there is always room for improvement, but we’re really happy with the engagement and participation in the event, I hope it is something we can repeat annually, and continue to build on each year.”
The VCBA would like to extend their gratitude to all of the VCBA members, both those mentioned above, as well as the many others who participated or worked behind the scenes, for their help in making Christmas in Villisca a great success! Next year, the hope is to advertise and get the word out in to neighboring communities as well. All are welcome to come and check out Christmas in Villisca next holiday season. Any area businesses or residents looking to get involved with the Villisca Community Betterment Association are encouraged to visit their website at Villiscabetterment.com, follow their Facebook page, or reach out to Alex Burton at villiscacba@gmail.com.