Tis the season! The Kilmichael Christmas on the Square committee is finishing up its last touches as it prepares for its annual lighting of the square which will be Dec. 1 immediately after the Kilmichael Christmas parade.
Organizer Carrie Welch said the square lighting is in its 38th year and was started by Mayor Bobby Howell’s mother.
“It’s been around as long as I can remember,” she said. “I didn’t want it just to stop, I wanted my kids to be able to enjoy it as much as I did.”
She said the light show first began on the square and has since ventured out past the square. It’s one of Kilmichael’s biggest attractions and brings many to the small town.
“We don’t really do a theme anymore. It limits the other stuff that we have because we have to stay within theme. It’s just Christmas on the Square,” Welch said.
She said there are few new items that have been added in.
“We have a few new additions to the light show. Now the lights are timed to music. We also have a few new characters. Mickey Mouse is new this year. But the actual square part, that’s Jesus’ area. It's kind of played out in storyboard form. The scene has changed a little bit. It’s the same story but the manger has changed, and that’s all that’s different.”
Welch said the light show is set up behind the railroad tracks, behind the square.
“It’s in a grassy spot. It’s a decorated big area. We have four arches last year and each has its own theme to it,” she said.
One area that’s a Minion Christmas.
Welch said she’s been a volunteer on the square close to 15 years, and she’s been over the event for 11 years.
“Several people had it over the years. Everyone involved always becomes family and really close friends. If you’re not family and friends, you will be when you leave. It’s just been a part of my life, my whole life. Couldn’t imagine my town not having that to enjoy it.”
She said the lights will stay up until Jan 1 to give people a chance to see the show all December long. Welch said that sometimes the weather can damper the show, but it will still go on.
“There’s always a windstorm that comes through and blows something down, at least once.”
Welch said it’s something that she looks forward to every year. “It’s a lot of fun. A lot of work, but a lot of fun.”
She said people are welcomed to circle the whole square and ride around.
“For as long as they want. I like to come out here and sit and watch people come through. I get to listen to the kids talk about how they love it. That’s why we do it, it’s not for the fame or anything else. It’s for the kids and that’s why we do it.”
