By Carol Mowdy Bond
Contributing Writer
Sleigh bells rang out, horse hooves clip-clopped, and laughter and voices filled Main Street during Yukon 66 Main Street’s annual “Christmas on Main.” The event brought full-blown holiday spirit and crowds into downtown Yukon on Thursday evening, December 10.
Resting on the northeast corner of 5th Street and Main, two “reindeer” alpacas, courtesy of Magnolias & Prayers – Everything Alpacas, were available for hugging and petting. At times, the alpacas even gave out slobbery kisses.
The alpacas sat in front of Express Clydesdales’ vintage sleigh, with Yukon’s Best Main Street board member/elf Justin Urbina standing watch. Yukon’s Best Main Street director Vicki Davis said the sleigh was “restored last year, and was featured in last year’s Rose Bowl Parade, carrying the Broadway cast of ‘Frozen.’”
Cherie Logan, State Farm Insurance Agent in Yukon, sponsored free, professional photos available immediately and on site, for those wanting a photo taken in front of the sleigh and with the alpacas.
On the northwest corner of 5th Street and Main, Express Clydesdales offered horse-drawn carriage rides, with drivers Jake Nisley and Loren Mast driving two famed Clydesdales, Jazz and Charger.
Across the street on the southwest corner of 5th Street and Main, Green Chile Kitchen sponsored The Antler Ride Farm’s horse-drawn wagon rides with Tom Peterson driving his 13-year-old champion mares Antler and Ridge, pulling an old-time-style wagon.
Representing the Yukon Veterans Museum, Jerry Icenhower, Jerry Stafford, and Jenny Crane offered big smiles, laughter, and free hot cocoa and cookies on the sidewalk.
As well, a Santa’s Toy Shoppe donation station was located on Main Street, and a marshmallow roasting station, and food trucks and stands, along with other stations where crowds found freebies and yummy treats.
At 4th Street and Main, families lined up to meet Santa.
Pre-packaged take-and-make crafts were available for families to take, and safely assemble at home away from the crowds. And a Santa’s Mail Box stood at the ready.
Downtown merchants were open for the event, and decorated their store fronts in holiday style. Some offered refreshments and drawings.
Donations received at some venues benefited Main Street’s “Downtown Beautification Fund.” The current Yukon beautification project in the works is the Creative Crosswalk artwork that artist Carlos Barboza is completing.
Sponsors for this year’s event included Yukon’s Best Main Street; Baker Photo & Video; Express Ranches; Green Chili Kitchen; Cherie Logan, State Farm Agent; YNB; Yukon Veterinary Hospital; First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ); Tyler Media; Spraycan; UstorageOK; Great Nations Bank; Bohannan Insurance Agency; Yukon Veterans Museum; Betsey’s Boutique Shop.
