Starting on Dec. 5, the village of Fredericktown will still hold its annual Christmas Walk and Charity Auction; but like many events in this year of COVID-19, it will be all virtual.
“We’ve had to make a lot of adaptions and changes,” Cecelia McClelland, one of the organizers, told the Mount Vernon News. “But our commitment to do what we do is still the same.”
The reality of the pandemic means that any event that would draw a large crowd is out, McClelland said.
“We’re not having the craft or vendor show that we normally have; we’re not doing the tree lighting,” she said. “We’re not having Santa have little kids sit on his lap.”
The auction held each year will be virtual, along with the Gingerbread House Contest and Fun Run.
“We will still have our ice sculptures on the streets; and merchants are still going to decorate their windows with work from the art students; and we’re still selling our ornament, which is a gingerbread man,” McClelland said.
Money raised by the event goes to Fredericktown Interchurch, the Fredericktown Salvation Army and the Fredericktown Community Relief Fund. Those agencies have had increased demands for their services this year, McClelland said.
The auction is the largest fundraiser each year. This year’s virtual auction will start on Dec. 5 and end Dec. 12. It will be on the event’s Facebook page.
Likewise, the Fun Run will be virtual this year. Runner Tom Caputo has developed a route around town. Runners can participate between Dec. 5 and Dec. 12 and report their times. They can register online and also purchase a commemorative T-shirt at registration.
The Gingerbread House Contest will be online as well, with pictures posted on Facebook. The one with the most 'likes' will be declared the winner.
Ornaments can purchased at Aunt Ruth’s Attic or TD Landscape, and also on Facebook.
“The money that we raise goes to three very worthy causes,” McClelland said. “And Fredericktown is a very giving community. It’s amazing how people come together when needed, like this year.”
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