Soup, pie supper added to Christmas Festival events

    Those enjoying the Imperial Christmas Festival Saturday, Dec. 18, will also be able to take in a soup and pie supper.
    Chris Krausnick, who is coordinating festival events for the Chamber of Commerce, said in the past few days a soup and pie supper was added to the schedule and will be held at the Imperial Country Club.
    That will be included with a host of other events, some of which are starting now with four different decorating contests underway for homes, businesses, downtown light poles and trees at City Square.
    Krausnick said everything is coming together for next weekend’s events, which will be capped off with the third annual Christmas Parade of Lights downtown.
    The afternoon will start off with a free movie, the family comedy “A Christmas Story,” sponsored by The Imperial Lions Club at 2 p.m. at the Imperial Theatre.
    The PG-rated film follows the exploits of young Ralphie Parker, who spends most of his time dodging a bully and dreaming of his ideal Christmas gift, a Red Ryder air rifle.
    Activities at the city gym and City Square will start at 4 p.m., Krausnick said.
    Inside the gym, people can take in a Christmas-themed cake walk. Anyone can take part if they bring a food item for the Chase County Food Pantry, she said, for a chance to win a cake.
    Also inside the gym, there will be a cookie decorating station for all ages, and well as an area for the youngsters to write letters to Santa.
    Another added event is Christmas bingo, Krausnick said, from 4 to 6 p.m. in the  gym. Those who want to play for a host of prizes donated by local businesses and organizations should bring a food item for the pantry.
    Outdoors, families can visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus and take pictures. Also outdoors will be a live Nativity scene, a fire pit for making s’mores and Latte Da on site offering coffee and hot chocolate.
    Krausnick said the hayrack ride around the community will not be held.
Soup and pie details
    Krausnick said the Imperial Country Club and The Back 9 will be hosting the soup and pie supper from 5 to 8 p.m. on Dec. 18 as part of the day’s events.
    Chili, chicken noodle, cheesy potato, vegetable beef and taco soup will be served at the country club on West 7th Street.
    The public is invited, and to-go orders will be available.
Decorating contests
    Everyone has the chance to get involved in at least one of the Christmas decorating contests as part of the holiday activities.
    The Chamber is coordinating the contests for residential lighting, business storefronts and downtown light poles, Krausnick said.
    There are about six entries in so far for the lighted Christmas parade, she said, adding there is still plenty of time to enter. Forms are available at the city office or The Imperial Republican. Krausnick would like preregistrations for planning purposes.
    Decorating is underway on the Christmas-themed light pole contest in downtown Imperial, which started Dec. 4. Chamber vice president Kevin Chavira said all light poles to be judged for prizes must be entered by contacting him at 308-883-0778 or by email:  kevin.chavira@pinnbank.com.
    Businesses, organizations or individuals can take part in the light pole decorating, Chavira noted.
    Homes in Imperial are taking on a Christmas look, and will be judged in the residential lighting contest. Coordinator Jan Elliott of the Chamber said no entry forms are required—all homes lighted and decorated by Dec. 16 will be judged that evening.
    It’s the same for the business storefront contest—no entry is required. The first place decorated business will win lunch purchased locally for all its employees, while the second place business will win Chamber Bucks.
    Lesley Nordhausen, who is helping coordinate the business contest, said they will be judged Dec. 16 and ribbons will ID the two winning businesses after they are announced.
    The tree decorating contest on City Square is being coordinated by city staff.
    Tyler Pribbeno, Community Development Director, said there are about 10 live trees on the property available for decorating.  
    People can sign up to decorate a tree on a first come, first served basis by calling 308-882-4368, or stopping in at the city office.
    Entries in all four decorating contests will be judged on Thursday, Dec. 16, with winners announced at the Christmas Festival Dec. 18, Krausnick said.

Decorating Contest Prizes

    Parade—1st $175, 2nd $125, 3rd $75, all in Chamber Bucks.
    Residential lighting—1st $175, 2nd $150, 3rd $75, all in Chamber Bucks.
    Light poles—1st $250, 2nd $150, 3rd $100, all in Chamber Bucks.
    Business storefront—1st place: Lunch for all business employees, 2nd Chamber Bucks (amount to be determined).
    City Square trees—1st $75, 2nd $50, all in Chamber Bucks.