Parkville’s Christmas on the River, Christmas in Dearborn coming up

Downtown Parkville has been spruced up just in time for the 25th annual Christmas on the River event this weekend.

New decorative lights have been installed in downtown Parkville. The streetlights are a continuation of the lighting installed along Highway 9 as part of the Downtown Entryway Project.

Christmas on the River will kick off at 6 p.m. Friday, Nov. 30. The event features live entertainment on the main stage near English Landing Park — such as the Park Hill 1,000 Voice Choir — and in Pocket Park downtown. Activities include photos with Santa, hayrides through English Landing Park, shopping and open houses, arts and crafts vendors, food vendors, children’s activities at Olde Mill Emporium and the holiday fireworks show over the Missouri River.

Live entertainment includes the Salvation Army Brass Band, Dickens Carolers, Quixotic’s Cirque Nouveau, the St. Therese adult and school choirs and more.

The free shuttle service will run from 6-10 p.m. with parking at the Platte County Community Center South, Park University’s main entrance and the Park University soccer fields. Parking at Park Hill South High School is for Park Hill choir students and their families only.

The City of Parkville, the Parkville Old Towne Market Community Improvement District (POTMCID) and the Main Street Parkville Association (MSPA) worked together to fund the new streetlights.

In 2016, downtown merchants approached the city about improving the streetlights, primarily on Main and First streets. Streetlights in these areas were a mismatch of decorative streetlights, globes attached to wooden poles and in some cases cobra head lights that were needed to provide the proper level of lighting. The goal for the new lighting was to provide a fresh look, match the new lights with the ornamental streetlights along Hwy. 9, give downtown Parkville a more cohesive look and provide illumination for traffic and pedestrians.

“A large project like this would not be complete without the help of our partners,” said mayor Nan Johnston. “We thank the downtown merchants who initiated the project, the Main Street Parkville Association and the Parkville Old Towne Market Community Improvement District.”

POTMCID provided $42,500 in funding for the project. MSPA acted as a conduit for the design grant. The city provided funding for the remaining cost of the project including design, electrical work and sidewalk reconstruction. The streetlight poles were installed by Kansas City Power and Light. An annual differential cost for the decorative street lights will be paid by POTMCID. During construction, the city made other improvements, including repair of several sections of brick sidewalks. The total cost of the entire project was $102,500. The new streetlights and sidewalk repairs were completed in August.

CHRISTMAS IN DEARBORN

Also this weekend, the Dearborn community will come together from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 1 at the Dearborn Community Center, 201 Commercial Street. Vendors will sell craft and other gift items. Face painting, food and kids activities will be available. The free event is hosted by the Dearborn Community Betterment Association.

The Dearborn Area Fire Protection District will host Cookies with Santa from 1-3 p.m. at the Christmas in Dearborn event.

The North Platte Historical Museum and Cultural Center will also hold an open house from 5-7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 1 at 210 Main Street in Dearborn. Lu Durham will be honored. Refreshments will be served.