By Conrad Dudderar
Senior Staff Writer
A global pandemic notwithstanding, an epic yuletide celebration returns soon to Yukon’s historic downtown district.
Jolly revelers will get a glimpse of Santa Claus, take a horse-drawn carriage ride and visit decorated downtown shops when Yukon’s Best Main Street unveils “Christmas on Main” from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 10 in the 400 block of W. Main.
“We believe that families – especially those with young children – have such a desire to get out and celebrate Christmas together,” Yukon Main Street Director Vicki Davis said. “All events that we do are outdoor, in the open air. And we do this to attract people to our downtown area.”
The Dec. 10th Christmas on Main gala promises some can’t-miss festivities.
“There will be lots for people to see and do,” Davis said, by way of summarization.
Highlights include both a horse-drawn carriage and wagon to carry people around the downtown venue.
There will be a photo op with Santa Claus – at a distance. Sorry, no kids on Kringle’s lap this time.
A second photo op will feature the Express Clydesdales’ newly restored vintage sleigh that was featured in the Rose Bowl Parade. Accompanying the sleigh will be a pair of alpacas that transformed to reindeers.
But … that’s not all. Not by a longshot.
Other highlights of Yukon’s festive Main Street event will be individually-packaged “take-and-make” crafts for the kiddos, snack food trucks selling kettle corn and funnel cakes, holiday music, and a Santa’s Toy Shoppe donation station.
Downtown merchants encouraged to decorate their storefronts and light up their buildings for the big event. Many participating stores will offer drawings and refreshments that night.
Suggested parking areas for the Dec. 10th Christmas on Main are the adjacent Old Mill Plaza shopping center and Yukon City Hall. Visitors are encouraged to park nearby, walk to the event site before taking a leisurely holiday stroll along the bustling Main Street business district.
WAIT, THERE’S EVEN MORE
Yukon’s Best Main Street will offer another yuletide attraction just five days earlier.
Capitalizing on Yukon’s rich Czech heritage, a “Czech Christmas Market” will be staged from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 10 at the 10 West Main parking lot.
“It will be in the style of the European, old-world market,” Davis explained.
Some 40 vendors will offer everything from handmade candles and leather crafts to wood art and lotions – right in time for holiday shopping.
The market will feature Czech favorites like kolaches, klobasy and cookies for hungry shoppers.
As if that’s not enough, a Christmas tree lot will be staged across the street. The Express Clydesdales will be special guests.
Anyone who is COVID-19-concerned can rest assured organizers of this year’s downtown Yukon yuletide events are following all proper health protocols.
“We have been diligent to plan our events in a manner that not only will make families feel comfortable, but will indeed be safe,” Davis said.
“We are doing what we can to direct the flow of traffic so we’re not ‘condensing’ people in a central area. Instead, we’re moving them in the same direction.”
