![]() ![]() The suburb of Kansas City has close to 100,000 residents. “Traditionally, the Mayor of Lee’s Summit flips the switch the Friday before Thanksgiving, lighting the heart of our community,” Donnie Rodgers Jr., executive director of Lee’s Summit downtown, says. The downtown holiday lights run from November 20 until January 1. The downtown, which has more than sixty retailers and restaurants, also showcases thousands of lights during the holiday season to create a picturesque setting. It’s the perfect way for families to enjoy the sparkling lights while still staying warm and cozy inside their cars. More than 500,000 lights and 175 animated figures glow at Jackson County’s Christmas in the Park from November 25 until December 31. The train depot at Howard Station Park, above, also lights up for the holiday season. Lee’s Summit Downtown Lee’s Summit becomes even more eye-catching with thousands of lights on display. “We have a vision to really see it expand and grow with each year,” Deby says. Deby is also working toward having a Christmas train stop in town every year. This year, the organizers plan to expand the kid’s Christmas pageant and find the perfect Mr. Then in 2019, the number of floats more than doubled to twenty-five. In 2018, there were ten floats in the parade. “Last year, we had the biggest turnout for participation than there has been in I don’t know how long,” Deby Hopping, city clerk at Noel says. In addition to the postmarks and an annual Christmas Parade, City Marshal Randy Wilson plans to have festive lights on every street, contests, and multiple weekends of events for the citizens of Noel to enjoy. The post office has fifteen to twenty volunteers to help stamp the cards and send them on their way. “Just not as many people send cards out anymore.” Volunteers work in the post office from Thanksgiving to Christmas Eve. To receive the Noel postmarks, package up your Christmas cards, and address them to: In the past, it was between forty and sixty thousand. In recent years, the number of cards being sent to Noel has slowly declined, but Lynn says there are still between twenty thousand and thirty thousand sent each year. “We get them from France and Germany, and I know we’ve got them from China and Taiwan,” Lynn Howerton, an officer in charge at the Noel Post Office, says. One is a red wreath, another is a green Christmas tree, and the final one reads “Noel.” The cards are sent from all over the world. They are then sent around the world with the special Noel postmark. Each year, thousands of letters and Christmas cards are mailed and dropped off at the Noel Post Office during the holiday season. It quickly gained popularity and became an international practice. And when December 1 hits, the locals do, too.ĭuring the ’30s, Noel’s postmaster came up with the idea to send letters with the Noel postmark. It’s situated on the Elk River, and the peaceful town is actually pronounced as if it rhymes with mole, but most people from out of town prefer to refer to it as No-el, as in another word for Christmas. Since the 1930s, Noel has been known around the world as Christmas City, a pretty large feat for a town of fewer than two thousand people. Here are five Christmas towns where you can take a stroll downtown and embrace the magic of Christmas. Claus pay visits, competitions begin, and festive towns become travel destinations. ![]() Plenty of charming towns become enchanting Christmas cities during December. It’s a time when communities come together as one and appreciate the fact they can do so. Whether you’re a Christmas connoisseur or you leave decorating and planning to the pros, this holiday can be one way of ending 2020 on a good note. The holiday has always been a time of celebration and connection, and for most people, that is especially meaningful this year. When strings of colorful lights are hung and “Santa Baby” starts to play on the radio and over store intercoms, you know Christmas is near. That’s why you’ll see some 2020 dates, but the towns are still loving Christmas and welcoming visitors! Updated Decem– This story originally appeared in our November/December 2020 issue. Here are five in Missouri where you can stroll downtown and embrace the magic of Christmas while shopping in unique venues for those just-right gifts. Many charming small towns become especially enchanting during December.
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