By Stephen Smoot
The party opened at 4 PM Saturday afternoon, but warm jacket and hat clad adults and children shaking with excitement started filing into the two square and along Main Street even before that.
After all, Santa and Mrs. Clause had a stop to make and children to greet!
Preparing for the crowds to come, vendors stocked racks, the smell of delicious victuals wafted from food trucks on site. Moorefield Lions Club members prepared to serve hot chocolate and tasty treats.
And the Believers Victory Center musicians finished up their practice time prior to the main event. Later, they sang songs of faith, spirit, and Christmas joy.
Above it all, the sun shone brilliantly just over the tops of the downtown streetscape. Brisk, but not too cold, temperatures greeted all as they awaited the holiday procession.
Behind the town’s Christmas celebration was the partnership of the Town of Moorefield, the Moorefield Lions Club, and Believers Victory Center, united in the vital cause of bringing joy and ringing in the season.
Said Pastor Rich Sparks, “we always want to be focused on community.” He explained that Christmas was never meant to be confined inside of walls, going on to say that “Christ was out in a manger” and those who celebrated His birth came to Him.
The partnership has continued for two years and continues to go strong Jim Yao, events coordinator for the Lions Club, stated that “the kids just love that” and “we had a bunch of people who helped to make this happen,” adding that the tree came from a generous donor and that the Town set up the tree.
Earlier in the day, local organizations celebrated the spirit of giving David Judy, Commander of the local Sons of Confederate Veteran shared that “Thanks to the good will of the community, the recent food and toy drive held on Dec. 7th by McNeill’s Rangers, netted over $2500 in food and toys and $500 in cash. This was all turned over to a local church to be utilized locally.”
Judy added, “Thank You. God Bless. Merry Christmas.”
As four o’clock rolled around, sirens sounded and the Moorefield town Christmas parade got underway.
The Moorefield High School band marched, followed by majorettes clad in red velvet looking dresses, very reminiscent of Mrs. Clause. Santa and Mrs Clause themselves rode in on a vintage Moorefield Fire Department apparatus.
Next to the Clause couple, the Pilgrims chicken attracted the most interest. As the chicken, wearing an elf shirt, waved, a small group of small children jumped excitedly and chanted “Chicken! Chicken! Chicken!”
As the sun dipped behind the western ridgetops, its light brilliantly illuminated a bank of clouds in different tones of bright orange. Temperatures started to drop, but the spirit of the season kept all warm enough.
At the center of the square sat a fat fir tree, its girth perfectly sized for the homemade ornaments that adorned it. Children one by one walked over from the Lions Club booth where they had crafted ornaments for either the Town or their family trees.
On the tree hung hundreds of ornaments, each with its own special message. Some read “Support the Troops” while others had the names of girl scout troops and other organizations.
The most special and poignant, however, always started with the same text – “In Loving Memory.” This tree not only celebrates the joy of Christmas, but also family members and other loved ones who shared in the joys of Christmases past. They carried the names of one or more people who could not be with their families on Christmas 2024, except in memory.
Sweet Treats On Main hosted a special surprise for the children. The American Legion Post 61 Riders arranged for Santa and Mrs. Clause, as well as The Grinch, to hear Christmas wishes and take photographs.
“It’s all for the community and the kids,” shared Todd Tanner, who serves as president of the Riders. He explained that the Riders were founded five years ago and have held this gathering at Sweet Treats On Main for the past four. They also put together events for Hallowe’en and have a special program for a group of foster children at a nearby residential facility.
“Those smiling faces are awesome,” Tanner said warmly.
One of the fathers could be overheard saying excitedly to his small child “That was your first visit with the big man!” He showed that kids of all ages can feel the love and cheer of Christmas.
At 5:30, over the loudspeaker came “Is everyone having a joyful time?”
Then the crowd gathered in for the lighting of the town tree. With the crescent moon and the evening star flanking it, the lights came on.
Yao then led the assembled attendees in the singing of O’ Come All Ye Faithful.
Families started drifting off into the night as volunteers started breaking down booths and removing their items from the square. Some would go next to the community choir performance at Duffy Memorial United Methodist Church later in the evening.
But all carried away the gift of lasting family memories and the joy of living in such a special community.
