Some Christmas traditions in Jefferson City have gone on for decades.
At Hawthorn Bank, formerly Exchange National Bank, Santa has made appearances and handed out Hershey’s candy bars around Christmas time. Younger people in the community might not realize that, while the tradition takes place during Living Windows, it predates Living Windows by decades.
Other Christmas traditions, sadly, come to an end. Back in the ’90s, Ralph Etter was known as the Case Street Santa. He and his wife decorated their house to the nines, inside and outside, with lights and thousands of Santa figurines and other decorations. He and his wife, Betty, stood outside their house to greet and hand out candy canes to lines of cars.
Retired businessman Jack Steppleman also drew lines of cars to his Leslie Boulevard home.
While Jefferson City was celebrating our nation’s independence each year, Steppleman was starting to pull out his Christmas decorations. By December, he was ready. That gives you an idea of how extravagant his display was.
In recent years, cars have flocked to the Holtmeyer home, which has featured an impressive computer-coordinated light show. But after a decade, that too ended last year.
While those traditions are now only memories, others are starting.
One such tradition is the Festival of Lights, which has returned for a second year. Held at Binder Park, 5840 Rainbow Drive, the outdoor display encourages families to come to the drive-thru light show to see what kind of display 1,000 volunteer hours can create.
“This park is so large, and it has so much potential to build up over the next several years (for) just a phenomenal light show,” said Jeff Buker, who coordinates the volunteer effort. “We’re going to try to build something extraordinary over the next couple of years.”
The Festival of Lights at Binder Park will be lit and open to the public 6-9 p.m. through Dec. 31. It is closed on Mondays.
The cost ($20 per vehicle and $35 for buses) goes toward bettering the park, and the light show, every year.
This year, as you hold tight to your memories of our community’s past Christmas traditions, consider embracing the new ones as well.
News Tribune