Santa stopped by for the lighting of Mason Park Christmas Lights on Sunday, December 1, to enjoy hot chocolate and visit with the kids courtesy of Nicki Hudson and Community Bank. The last of the lighted ornaments were installed in the park just moments before turning on all the lights at 6 p.m.
In 1996, a small group of dedicated citizens took it upon themselves to collect lighted ornaments and decorate a portion of Mason Park for Christmas. In 1998, their small collection more than doubled when J.V. Pool, of Ellisville, donated a majority of his lighted ornament collection to the group.
Over the past 23 years, the dedicated group of citizens has tried to keep the lighted ornaments on in the park, but there is a question of whether they can continue.
The group is in desperate need of a storage facility for the collection, one that can include a workshop area to repair the ornaments. The person that has been maintaining the ornaments and keeping them repaired can no longer perform the task. They are in need of a volunteer to step up and keep the ornaments in working condition.
Also, they need volunteers to help in the installation and takedown of the ornaments. Only two of the 55 volunteers who showed up to help last year returned this year. If the group is unable to fulfill these three major needs, and have volunteers to step up and dedicate to keep the lights in the park going, there is a good possibility that this will be the last year that people will be able to enjoy the Magic of Mason Park at Christmas.
The lights in the park will remain on throughout December 31. For more information and to volunteer, contact Amanda Matthews at 601-577-4885.