Christmas Time Is Here!

December 15, 2011

It’s the most wonderful time of the year! Happy Holidays! Silver Bells! If you listen to any of the "all" Christmas radio stations, you can’t help but become familiar with these songs. However, there is another song which is played at this time of year, at least in Kansas City. It’s a little tune titled It’s Christmas in Kansas City, which includes in its lyrics various events and attractions associated with the Christmas season in our metropolitan area.

As a native Kansas Citian, I really think Kansas City has many attractions and traditions, which help to make it the most wonderful time of the year. Of course, the most popular would be the lights on the Country Club Plaza. Year after year, no matter which direction you arrive, when you see those lights, it just looks magical. Another popular area this time of year is Crown Center with the huge Mayor’s Christmas tree and the Crown Center Square all lit up in white lights along with the ice skaters on the ice terrace. Makes you feel like you’re in a winter wonderland. Once inside Crown Center, there is a buzz which just shouts Christmas. Every evening various choirs from around the area are performing, children are lined up to see Santa, and seeing the decorations just gives you a good feeling. Even downtown Kansas City is beginning to look a little more festive, especially around the Power & Light district. I was downtown a couple of weeks ago, and  the streets were along Main Street and several of the store windows were decorated. Not like it was when I was little but a good start for a comeback.

Community tree lighting ceremonies are also very prevalent throughout the various suburban communities. Even here in Downtown Raytown, we had a lighting ceremony. The little park at 63rd & Raytown Road is lit up for the season. If you want a somewhat small town feel, the courthouse on the Independence Square is outlined in white lights. Since MCPL covers a large area and is such a part of the communities we serve, I’m sure many of our locations are close to a festive display.

If you haven’t had your fill of "holiday" cheer, there are also many different Christmas Programs offered throughout the metropolitan area. I’m not going to advertise one show over another, but I have already attended one and will be attending another one before the big day. For me, seeing a live performance of Christmas music, both old and new, just helps to make the season seem special. If you have the opportunity, check out one of these performances.

Of course, MCPL has many Christmas traditions. The biggest event has already occurred; Charles Dickens paid a visit to 4 of our branches. Yes, I know it’s hard to believe, but he did. Another favorite, Mr. Stinky Feet, also makes an annual visit to several branch locations. There are also Santa visits, craft classes, and even a puppet show. You can visit our Events Page for more details 

Whew, with all of this, why would you long to be somewhere else?

Merry Christmas!

Todd H.
Raytown Branch