Colfax County Christmas kicks off with new tradition

The Colfax Country Christmas celebration kicked off the holiday season as people filled the streets to see what local businesses had to offer such as games and refreshments.

This year, the organizers of the annual event decided to begin the festivities a little differently. They decided to have a tree lighting ceremony with Santa Claus doing the honors to signal the beginning of the celebration with gift giving shortly after.

“It was the first time we ever did it and there were some kinks in it, but I think it was pretty fun,” director of Colfax Main Street Stuart Patterson said. “Everything has come together.”

After Santa Claus turned on the lights of the Christmas tree, attendees were able to scatter throughout the town, taking advantage of the unseasonably mild weather to see what was hidden in businesses for a scavenger hunt of sorts for attendees to complete throughout the night.

“I am really amazed and happy with my business owners and churches and other groups that have all banded together to do something and to make the town fun,” Patterson said.

Many of the businesses had games and food prepared, inviting guests to come in and play games and enjoy. There were also other fun things like a bouncy house and a petting zoo.

“The weather is beautiful so that helps ... We have been very busy,” co-owner of Professional Hair Designers Brenda Tjaden said.

Co-owner T.J. Tjaden added, “It is a good thing for the community.”

Not only were there plenty of Colfax residents out and about in the community there were also those in attendance who were experiencing Colfax Country Christmas for the very first time. New city administrator Wade Wagoner and Colfax-Mingo Superintendent Erik Anderson were present for the celebration.

“It is great. We couldn’t have ordered better weather, it seems like people are having a lot of fun,” Wagoner said.

Anderson added, “It is another impressive example of the community coming together and all of the businesses and everybody supporting each other and being here for just a small town that everybody is just a big family.”

There were plenty of other activities going on throughout Colfax with the soup supper and the carriage rides by Plume Hill and sponsored by Dickerson Mechanical throughout the night as well as a ugly sweater contest.

“We had a great crowd to welcome Santa to town and watch the tree lighting ... We couldn’t be happier,” Colfax Main Street board member Brad Magg said.

Patterson added, “Just want to give a shout out and a thank you to all those businesses and groups that have done something and then businesses that have sponsored things.”

Contact Dustin Teays at 641-792-3121 ext. 6533 or dteays@newtondailynews.com