Local Girl Will Help Mayor Light Christmas Tree

Mackenzie Klinginsmith, a sixth grader at the Trenton Middle School, will assist Mayor Nick McHargue in lighting the mayor’s Christmas tree during Friday night’s Downtown Christmas activities.
The 11-year-old is the daughter of Kary and Lisa Klinginsmith of Trenton. Her name was drawn from among entries made at seven downtown businesses over the past two weeks. She was entered at the Main Street Mall.
In addition to helping the mayor light the tree, she will also be receiving a basket of gift items donated by those businesses in which the entries were made.
The tree, which is located in the Sesquicentennial Park, will be lighted at 5:30 p.m. and kicks off the downtown celebration, which is sponsored by the Trenton Downtown Improvement Association.
The Trenton Area Ministerial Alliance will open the activities with a welcome and will also be reading “The Christmas Story.” Santa will make an arrival in the downtown area via the Trenton Cinema popcorn trailer and will be in the park gazebo to visit with boys and girls about their wishes for Christmas. Santa will be accompanied by his “elves,” represented by the North Central Missouri College baseball team. A photographer will be on site to take photos for a nominal fee.
There will be entertainment throughout the downtown area, featuring live window scenes, dancing by the SuperStars Dance Studio and music by the Trenton Middle School Choir and the Pauley family. Food vendors will also be located throughout the area, featuring the Hodge Presbyterian Church cookie walk as well as hot drinks by the North Central Missouri Advocacy Center, kettle corn by the Chumbleys and the Trenton Masonic Lodge soup supper, which begins at 4:30 p.m.
Horse and carriage rides will be available throughout the evening, courtesy of Bill Hinkebein, and several of the downtown businesses will be open to allow for some holiday shopping. There will also be holiday-decorated windows throughout the downtown area.
Also open will be the Grundy County Museum. Visitors will be able to take photos at four photo-op stations, including a fantasy reindeer. Children can make Christmas cards and see an electric train operating on a 150-foot track. Museum directors will be available to receive suggestions for future exhibits and programs. History books, CDs and imprinted items will also be available for sale.