Christmas is coming to the Ozarks

Today was a veritable round-robin of community Christmas celebrations. Ava started last night and some of the others may have as well. There were parades in Ava this afterhoon, in Seymour at late afternoon and in Mountain Grove and Mansfield this evening.

It occurs to me that we could make a true tour of this day and promote the idea of the various celebrations, schedule things so visitors and local citizens could travel to more than one town if so choosing. The homes along the highway are, to a great percentage, decorated. We could make this an even greater project; carry the trail of lights on into the new year and make our highways an area not to miss when people are coming and going from the sights in Branson.

The weatherman has been begging for snow all week. At Mansfield, about 6:45, there was a STIFF breeze, rapidly dropping temperatures and some mist/snow. We parked so we could view the parade in a nice warm vehicle if necessary and braved the breeze to cross the Square.

The flags were celebrating Christmas! The flag in the oval is located at the Mansfield Veterans' Memorial and the other flags are on the large pole near the gazebo. The moon is shining over the larger US flag and Missouri state flag; while a street light illuminates the US flag at the memorial.