By Joseph M. Morgan

joseph@southerntorch.com

This is an annual event in Collinsville sponsored by the town and the churches of Collinsville.

The town sets up decorations and speaker platform.  Mayor Johnny Traffenstedt opens ceremony and serves as emcee.  Event is climaxed with the arrival of Santa Claus on a Collinsville fire truck.  The town arranges this, also.  Santa takes time to speak to each child and give each a piece of candy.

The churches, through the Collinsville Ministerial Association, provide hot chocolate and hot cider drinks.  They also have a local pastor who does a devotion about Christmas (this year that was Liberty Hill Baptist pastor Charles Brown) and lead the crowd in Christmas Carols and songs.  Songs were led this year by Claire Chandler.