It’s a Thanksgiving Eve tradition.
The annual holiday lighting celebration in downtown Platte City is scheduled for Wednesday, Nov. 24. As has become customary, it is scheduled on the night before Thanksgiving.
This year’s celebration will run from 5:30 to 8 p.m. on Main Street.
The night of fun and family entertainment will include things like horse drawn carriage rides, a visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus, face painting, fun holiday music, and refreshments.
There will be a Children’s Main Street “Sticker Stop” game to win prizes and much more, says Stephanie McKinley of the sponsoring Platte City Area Chamber of Commerce.
“It’s a free community event for all ages to enjoy,” says McKinley.
The theme this year is “Old-Fashioned Christmas.”
Free shuttle rides via trolley will be provided from the Platte County High School parking lot to Main Street. The shuttle will be running every 15-20 minutes beginning at 4:45 p.m. and ending at 9 p.m.
Holiday lights will aglow the Platte County Courthouse and surrounding businesses on Main Street. The switch will be flipped this year at 6 p.m. by Olin Miller, a longtime downtown Platte City business owner and a local historian.
Following is a timeline of events at the courthouse steps, as provided by the chamber of commerce:
5:29 p.m.: 2021 Holiday Greeting by the Platte County Commission, given by Joe Vanover, second district county commissioner.
5:33 p.m.: 1) Recognition of PCR-3’s Pirates R.O.C.K. Character students, by Platte County R-3 Pirates Rock Character Program, (Laura Hulett)
2) An announcement to please visit the Ben Ferrel Museum at the corner of 3rd and Ferrel.
3) Beatniks Dance Performance Team – Holiday Dance (part 1 of 2)
5:45 p.m. – Vocal Performance by Platte County High School Concert Choir, directed by Brian Von Glahn, high school vocal director
5:55 p.m. – Beatniks Dance Performance Team – Holiday Dance (part 2 of 2)
5:58 p.m. – Platte City Mayor’s Holiday Greeting – Mayor Tony Paolillo –
6 p.m. – Holiday Lighting of the Platte County Courthouse & Main Street Platte City, with the lights turned on by Olin Miller
6:01 p.m. – Arrival of Santa and Mrs. Claus.
Downtown business owners are reminded that the streets will be blocked off at 3 p.m. on Wednesday afternoon, so make arrangements to move vehicles prior to that time.
Chamber officials said all of Main Street will be blocked off as well as the north and south sides of Third Street. In addition, a portion of Second Street will also be closed.
For more information, head to plattecitymo.com or call the chamber of commerce office at 816.858.5270.