On Saturday, December 7, Okawville held its 41st annual Christmas Stroll. This year, many different events were planned for the Christmas Stroll. Some include Breakfast with Santa, the Craft Fair, the Flea Market and Vendor/Craft Show, and an Outdoor Decorating Contest! Three of these events were on Saturday, while the other was on Friday. Breakfast with Santa started at 9:00 a.m. at the Original Springs Hotel, Tri-M provided crafts and NHS worked the breakfast itself. The Craft Fair started at 9:00 a.m. as well and ended at 4:30 p.m. It was held at the Community Club.
Along with the Craft Fair, the Flea Market and Vendor/Craft Show started at 9:00 a.m. and ended at 4:30 p.m. as well. The Outdoor Decorating Contest happened on Friday, where Gather Okawville hosted bus tours. If you decided to go on the bus tour, you were able to see the lights displayed around Okawville. There were also options for a business stroll during which you could support local businesses by checking out shops and restaurants in the area. On Sunday, December 8, the Living Nativity Scene took place. This is a community-sponsored event where various groups come to present the story of Christmas. There were live animals, community choirs, and food and drinks.
Many students also helped out with the Living Nativity Scene this year. The Sophomore class sold hot chocolate at the Community Club, starting inside and eventually moving outside. They started selling at around 4, and ended whenever the Living Nativity started, around 6:30-7 p.m. They sold regular and topped hot chocolate for $3. There was whipped cream, sprinkles, crushed peppermint, chocolate shavings, mini marshmallows, and, a new addition, crushed graham cracker. The savings collected will be used for any class expenses/activities for which the Sophomore class needs money. Last year it was extremely successful. They sold 100 hot chocolates and made $300 in total. Mrs. Stine had said they anticipate making around the same amount this year.