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Chamber: Let's light things up this season -- safely
The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce is encouraging local residents to put their Christmas spirit on display.
Chamber officials are currently preparing for the annual FSACC Dolly HollyDay tours, which take place Dec. 15-30, and the annual Light Up Fort Scott contest, in which residents are encouraged to decorate their homes using one of three themes in honor of the holiday season.
The Dolly HollyDay tours, which take guests aboard Dolly the Trolley on an hour-long evening tour of area homes decorated for the holidays, will take place at 6:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. nightly from Dec. 15-30, except for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Tour-goers will be able to view Christmas lighting displays entered in the Light Up Fort Scott holiday lighting contest, and will also have the chance to vote on their favorite entries in each of three categories; traditional, patriotic or religious.
Passengers will also be treated to Christmas carols led by local volunteers dressed as elves, a little elf humor, and other holiday treats, chamber officials said.
The winner of each category in the Light Up Fort Scott contest will receive a $50 cash prize. More than 200 Dolly HollyDay riders voted on entries in last year's contest.
Both chamber-sponsored events are designed to give people another way to enjoy the holiday season locally with family and friends, FSACC Tourism Director Cynthia McFarlin said.
"It gets people out and moving around a little bit," she said. "It's a great way to celebrate the season with family and friends. Kids especially enjoy the silly elves and the singing."
McFarlin said she is now taking reservations for the popular Dolly HollyDay tours, although no entries have yet been received for the Light Up Fort Scott contest. As many as 20 homes have been featured on the tour in past years, she said.
The trolley accommodates about 22 passengers for each tour, and reservations for the tours are required. Guests will board at the FSACC Visitor Information Center, 231 E. Wall St.
Entry forms for the Light Up Fort Scott contest can be picked up at the Visitor Information Center from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday; from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday; and from noon to 3 p.m. Sunday. Reservations for the Dolly HollyDay tours can be made now at a cost of $5 per person. Children under 5 years of age will be admitted on the tours free of charge, McFarlin said.
Refreshments will be available at the Visitor Information Center as guests wait to board the trolley.
For more information or to make reservations, call the chamber at (620) 223-3566. McFarlin said sponsorship opportunities for the Light Up Fort Scott contest are available, and interested businesses may contact her at the chamber office.