By Conrad Dudderar
Senior Staff Writer
Yukon’s downtown merchants are celebrating a merry yuletide season as Main Street revitalization efforts surge toward the end of 2018.
“Downtown Yukon was hopping with Christmas cheer,” Yukon Main Street director Vicki Davis said.
Davis’ proclamation came the morning after Yukon’s second Christmas On Main Street – Downtown Open House on Tuesday night, Dec. 18 along Main Street.
The event was rescheduled due to inclement weather the previous Thursday, Dec. 13.
“We were grateful that most of the participants were able to change it to Tuesday and didn’t have previous commitments,” Davis said. “We had to make some minor adjustments for people who had previous commitments, but other people stepped up to the plate.
“The weather couldn’t have been better. It was just cool enough that people enjoyed the hot cider and hot cocoa, but warm enough that they could stay for the endurance of the event.”
Tuesday’s second downtown holiday open house featured a children’s theme as a popular added attraction was an appearance by the characters Anna and Elsa from Disney’s “Frozen.”
Another welcome addition to Christmas On Main Street was a bright red 1952 Ford fire truck provided by Yukon’s J.A. Luper of J.A. Luper & Sons Automotive. Children especially enjoy climbing on the back and sitting inside the cab of the classic vehicle.
Several enticements from the first Main Street holiday open house in November were back in downtown Yukon again for Tuesday night’s event.
Busy all night were Gordon and Marie Hirst of Hirst Farms in El Reno, who brought their Hitch ‘Em Up horse-drawn carriage to provide rides around the downtown area.
Other highlights were live reindeers from the Reindeer Club of Bristow, pictures with Santa Claus, photos in the Yukon Main Street snow globe, roasted marshmallows, and tasty refreshments.
Downtown Yukon merchants stayed open late Tuesday night to welcome yuletide shoppers into their stores.
Davis thanked dozens of downtown businesses, event volunteers, participants, and sponsors “that made this possible.”
Both holiday open houses were organized and presented by Yukon’s Main Street director Davis and the Yukon Main Street Association. Sherry Poage is board chair and Angie McPherson is promotions committee chair and Christmas On Main Street event coordinator.
Other board members are: Linda Ramey, Cherie Logan, Ashleigh McClung, Kim Stuart, Pam Shelton, Terry Martin, Stephanie Hale, Judy Austin, and Tammy Kretchmar.
Other event committee members are Kay Casper, Rachel Smith and D’Lynne Koontz.
A second Downtown Yukon Vision Development Workshop will be Jan. 10, 2019 as downtown revitalization efforts continue.
For more information, contact Davis at vdavis@yukonok.gov or (405) 350-5999.
