By the time the sun went down on Wednesday, Nov. 27, the temperature had dipped into the 30’s. The rain, while mild, was so cold it stung any exposed skin, numbing anyone who dared to go …
This item is available in full to subscribers.
We have recently launched a new and improved website. To continue reading, you will need to either log into your subscriber account, or purchase a new subscription.
If you are a digital subscriber with an active subscription, or you are a print subscriber who had access to our previous website, then you already have an account here. Just reset your password if you have not yet logged in to your account on this new site.
If you are a current print subscriber and did not have a user account on our previous website, you can set up a free website account by clicking here.
Otherwise, click here to view your options for subscribing.
Please log in to continue |
By the time the sun went down on Wednesday, Nov. 27, the temperature had dipped into the 30’s. The rain, while mild, was so cold it stung any exposed skin, numbing anyone who dared to go outside, but that couldn’t stop residents from “lighting up Mexico”.
Last Wednesday was the fifth annual “Light up Mexico” event. By 5 p.m., a crowd had gathered in the square in front of the courthouse all bundled up ready to sing Christmas carols and watch Janet’s Dance Studio’s special Christmas recital, welcoming the holiday season by spreading Christmas cheer.
April Thomas, owner of The Sparkly Pig, has been the driving force behind this event.
“We didn’t really have a Santa anymore, well he's not as prominent here, and we needed something that was unique to the town,” says Thomas
Mexico’s magic tree, located at the corner of W. Jackson and N. Washington, is decorated by a WestCo Grounds Maintenance, a landscaping company out of Jefferson City.
“We have to add strands of lights every year,” says Thomas. “It’s growing rapidly.”
Before the tree was lit, there was plenty of holiday fun to be had. The Salty Heifers Co. had a booth set up selling “Light Up Mexico” tees. Next to them was the Salty Chick-Inn selling all kinds of goodies and just around the corner, Tenleigh’s food truck warmed everyone up with hot chocolate.
Those in attendance were led in song by a rag-tag group of carolers who had met for the first time the night before, you know, the old fashioned way.
“We’re all local people that just enjoy singing; a few of us are on worship teams,” says Holly Phillips, a member of the Genesis Church worship team. “This year we're doing something kind of different and we’re having some kid involvement.”
Each song was followed up by a dance number; every age group at Janet’s Dance Studio, led by instructors Janet Graham, Mackenzie Smith, and Miah Sprock performed.
Earlier in the month, raffle tickets were sold for the chance to flip the switch and turn on the magic tree and this year’s winner was 11-year-old Jackson Marks.
Mexico’s Magic tree cast a wondrous glow across the square and as many cheered and gathered to take pictures with the magnificent spectacle, “We Wish You a Merry Christmas” swelled from the carolers nearby.
It is special memory making traditions like this one that make small-town living so special. Thomas hopes that this will be a part of Mexico’s community for a very long time and maybe next year, there will be snow instead of rain.
