Magical Night 2023 went off without an issue Thursday, Nov. 30, in uptown Mount Vernon.
The new gates, created by Tim Kelley and Gene Freiburger, allowed the trolleys to return to uptown Mount Vernon, crossing Hwy. 1 and off to Memorial Park.
The evening kicked off with the Christmas lighting at First Street Community Center in uptown Mount Vernon. Second graders from Washington Elementary led carols until Jolly Old St. Nick arrived to light the building. Santa was slightly delayed as he had many youth wanting to welcome him to Mount Vernon.
Hot cocoa in First Street Community Center, as well as performances by Elfliot and Dance Arts Iowa happened later. The Mount Vernon High School band performed festive music, and groups of Christmas carolers were present in uptown Mount Vernon.
Three different photo spots were established along the route.
Mount Vernon Bank and Trust, with the photos with Santa, remained a popular place all night, and the Presbyterian and United Methodist Churches were busy with cookie decorating (Presbyterian) and soup supper (UMC).
Saint Paul’s Lutheran Church’s live nativity scene took place at Memorial Park.
For more photos of the event, turn to page 7A.
Members of the Washington Elementary second graders perform “I Want a Hippopotomaus for Christmas” ahead of the lighting at First Street Community Center Thursday, Nov. 30.