The third annual “Welcome Home for Christmas” celebration on Liberty Square was hosted on a beautiful, clear Sunday evening as the community gathered to watch the city’s tree lit for the first time this holiday season.
The event included visits with Santa for children who wanted to make sure their Christmas wish Lists made it safely to the North Pole. Santa’s elves and other helpers had cookies and hot chocolate for those who needed to warm up or just wanted a sweet treat while they went out to view the brightly-lit Christmas displays in the windows of the buildings around the city square, including a huge toy-display at the former M & H Hardware building, along with a traditional scene in the windows at Sparta City Hall, both decorated by Torry Martin and his friends.
There were carriage rides for those who wanted to tour the square and the surrounding area. There was live music provided by Brad Norris and his Jazz Band. Various area pastors took turns readings parts of the Christmas story to the crowd, which was smaller than past years, in part due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but still estimated to be around 1,000 people over the course of the evening.
An added feature to this year’s celebration included food vendors. Four Heifers and a Pig were on hand for those who wanted to purchase dinner while listening to the music, and there were also gourmet coffees and other hot drinks available for purchase at the amphitheater’s concession area.
To conclude the evening, Santa made his way to the city’s large Christmas Tree inside the amphitheater’s gate just in time for the crowd to join Pastor Steve Qualls of Christpoint Church for a countdown to Sheriff Steve Page turning on the lights for the first time this season. As the lights came on, “snow” fell around the tree and over the crowd.
“It has been a great night, and we appreciate everyone who came out and everyone who helped put this together for the community,” Qualls said. “We truly hope that everyone will find some joy as this year comes to an end and will remember that all is not bad. Sparta is a great community and we want to say, ‘Welcome Home for Christmas!’”
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