BY ROGER SMITH
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN
WARFIELD — The City of Warfield is lighting the holiday cheer with decoration contests and a toy drive for the 23rd annual Visit With Santa.
Mayor Mike Hinkle threw down the gauntlet to businesses last week, challenging them to decorate their storefronts.
“Let’s spread the Christmas cheer and bring the magic of Christmas to the City of Warfield,” Hinkle said, announcing the challenge.
Meanwhile, the city invites homeowners to get in the spirit for a chance to win more than just glory in Warfield’s Residential Christmas Decorating Contest. Residents have until Nov. 30 to adorn the outside of their homes and vie for the winner’s title and a $50 prize. The runner-up gets $25.
“The prize money for the residential contest was donated by someone who doesn’t want their name mentioned,” City Clerk Rhonda Price said. “They want to see Warfield decorated.”
Judging will be in-person and include every decorated home.
“Residents aren’t required to register, but it would be nice if they let us know they have decorated so we won’t miss anyone,” said Price.
This year also marks the debut of the Adopt a Flower Box Christmas Decorating Contest, which encourages residents to decorate public flower boxes in the city. This contest runs Nov. 1-30, with public voting on the City of Warfield Facebook page Dec. 1 from 9 a.m.-9 p.m. The winner will receive a $25 Walmart card.
Price asks participants to let her know when they complete a flower box by calling 606-395-6423.
Residential Decorating Contest and Adopt a Flower Box Christmas Decorating Contest winners will be announced Dec. 2 live on Facebook following the Visit With Santa event.
“We’re so excited to see everyone’s decorations,” remarked Price.
Toy drive
Recognizing that Christmas is not financially easy for many families, Warfield will host its 23rd annual Visit With Santa to “relieve a little stress for parents and spread joy to children.”
The city anticipates serving over 200 children this year and is rallying citizens and businesses to support the event through a toy drive that is in full swing at City Hall.
“We always have a large turnout,” commented Price. “If you can donate, it would be greatly appreciated.”
Donations can be dropped off at City Hall from 7:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Monday-Thursday. If that time does not work, community members can contact Price at 606-395-6423 to make other arrangements.
Only new toys, candy, coloring books, crayons, etc., are acceptable for donations.
Monetary donations are always welcome and will be used to purchase toys.
Last year, the city used the money it received to take advantage of Thanksgiving Day 50% off sales. Price is hoping to have the same luck finding sales this year.
“That’s how we had so many toys,” she said. “I hit three of them and filled my car full.”
Anyone wishing to mail a donation can address it to Warfield City Hall, P.O. Box 261, Warfield, KY 41267. Donors also have the convenient option of sending money via PayPal to cityofwarfield@gmail.com.
“We thank all who have already donated,” said Price. “We are so grateful.”
Due to a lack of space inside City Hall, the Visit With Santa will be a drive-up event starting at 5 p.m. Dec. 2. Cars will line up at the rear entrance of the City Hall property. Each vehicle will stop at the main door to allow children to meet Santa, receive gifts and have their picture taken by the newspaper photographer. The pictures will be posted on Facebook.