Christmas promo planning underway – Published in the Oct. 26-Nov. 1 edition of the C-D

Don’t you just love when you come out of a meeting feeling excited about what is coming, and hopeful that you can make everything work just right? It relieves stress, ideas are flowing, and you just can’t wait to get started. That is just how I felt leaving our “It’s a Country Christmas in Johnston County” planning meeting on Monday afternoon. The Chamber is excited to announce that we will be hosting Breakfast with Santa on Saturday, December 2nd from 8:00-11:00 a.m. Santa and Mrs. Claus, elves, and perhaps a few Disney characters, will be there to eat with the kids, take pictures and listen to what they want for Christmas. Then, Saturday, December 9th will feature our Country Christmas Parade followed by pictures with Santa and the Grinch at Landmark Bank! I will be sending out announcements in next week’s e-newsletter about how to bid to name the parade, so be ready! Saturday, December 16th will be the day of the Santa Bucks drawing where hundreds of local shoppers will be ready to hear their names called for cash and prizes. We need sponsors for each of these events – please expect me to be coming around soon to see how you would like to participate in this year’s Christmas festivities!
This week’s events include the Kid’s Carnival at the Johnston County Fair Barn on Thursday the 26th from 6:00-8:00 p.m. Get your kiddos dressed up in their costumes and come on out to enjoy games, bounce house, bingo, prizes and more! There will be food available for purchase at the concession stand and tickets will be sold at the gate for a quarter each.
Friday the 27th is the annual 4-H BBQ dinner at the Fair Barn from 4:30 – 7:30 p.m. Tickets are being sold in advance so call 580-371-9533 for more information.
On Saturday, we have the ribbon cutting for the renovated Craven Trail at the Tishomingo National Wildlife Refuge at 10:30 a.m. followed by a Spooky by Nature presentation and walk. Then, Ruby Ranch Boutique will celebrate their grand opening with a ribbon cutting at 11:30 a.m. at 316 W. Main Street. Come and celebrate with us! That evening from 6:00-9:00 p.m. will be the Farmhouse Fundraiser at the Murray State College Farm, behind the Johnston County Fair Barn. Be ready for a great meal, live music, and lots of fun on the farm! The money raised will go toward the Ag Work Ethic Scholarship. Sipokni West’s Terrified Forest will be open October 27, 28, 30 and 31st from darkish to 9-ish, $5/person. All buildings will be open, including the café.
We would like to thank our new members, Elizabeth’s Antiques Emporium and Ruby Ranch Boutique for their investment in the Chamber. We are so happy to be here, working for the businesses and organizations that make this county so great.
We would like to say that our thoughts and prayers are with Ray Lokey and his family during this time. We still believe in miracles too, and hope for a speedy recovery for our friend and board member.

“My mama always told me that miracles happen every day. Some people don’t think so, but they do.” – Forrest Gump