A magical evening of lights and joy
The Olney Chamber of Commerce’s Tree Lighting didn’t just brighten the night on Nov. 30—it brought Olney together to kick off the Christmas season with a celebration for families. From free hot chocolate and a chili cookoff to carols and festive fun, citizens and local businesses joined forces to create a magical evening for all.
“I think it went really really well,” Chamber executive director Kimberly Smith said. “The turnout was really good. As a combined community effort, it was a big success. It reminds you why you love Olney.”
The event kicked off at 4 p.m. with a chili cook-off organized by Keep Olney Beautiful to benefit projects including the new Olney Police Station.
For $5, attendees could taste all the chili entries and vote for their favorite. The winner was Hudson’s on Main, which also provided the prize - a $100 gift card to the Main Street restaurant.
Proprietor Dustin Hudson regifted the card back to KOB, and DJ Rad Dad Chris Garcia, acting as master of ceremonies, auctioned it off three times to raise more than $300 for KOB.
R.J. Behrens won honorable mention for his chili creation.
Sonny’s BBQ made the festivities sweeter by serving free hot chocolate from their food truck.
Sonny’s served more than 250 hot chocolates, which paired well with the cookies donated by the Olney Junior Altruistic Club, Mrs. Smith said.
Santa and Mrs. Claus arrived in a horse-drawn carriage provided by PTL Carriages, owned by Jeff and Kristy Peck.
Jason Pack of Stewart’s Food Store took the reins -- bringing Santa and Mrs. Claus to hear whether Olney’s children were naughty or nice, and then took everyone for rides around the block .
Santa and Mrs. Claus held court in the downtown gazebo, courtesy of Brazos Communications, as Olney Enterprise photojournalist Will Sadler snapped photos of kids on Santa’s lap for parents.
Here’s Your Sign fashioned a photo op panel that kids could put their faces in to pose as angels or Christmas elves.
First Baptist Church of Olney’s pastor, Dr. Chad Edgington, rounded up the little ones at the gazebo and they led the crowd in impromptu renditions of classic Christmas carols.
Mrs. Smith thanked Dos Leones restaurant and Air Tractor for their sponsorship of the spectacular tree lighting, which lit up Main Street at a few minutes before 5 p.m. as the crowd sang “Silent Night.”
She also recognized Mr. Garcia for stepping in at the last moment to provide tunes and MC the event after the previously booked DJ canceled.
The Chamber’s next major event - the Annual Banquet -- is tentatiovely set for Thursday, Jan. 9 or Monday, Jan. 23 at Durango Rustic Retreat, Mrs. Smith said.
The Chamber will hand out 2024 awards at the banquet for Pipeline Spirit, Pioneer of the Year, Volunteer of the Year, and Citizen of the Year, she said.