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Happy Holidays 2006

Neighbors won't let a Christmas tradition die

Church Street Christmas will go on starting tonight in Dade City, but with a few changes.

By MOLLY MOORHEAD
Published December 21, 2006

DADE CITY - The end of Church Street Christmas didn't last long.

Organizers of the nearly 30-year-old tradition decided in October that the holiday event had run its course, mainly because of a dropoff in support from Church Avenue's three churches - First United Methodist, First Baptist and First Presbyterian.

But within about a week, residents of the avenue rallied and promised to keep alive the event beloved for its tenor of religion and community togetherness.

It begins tonight.

"All the neighbors have really banded together," said Harriett Riddaugh, a Church Avenue resident.

As it has for three nights every December since 1978, historic Church Avenue will be filled with strolling pedestrians, twinkling luminarias and the sounds of Christmas carols. The event is 6 to 9 p.m. through Saturday.

It's a tradition that simply couldn't be lost, Church Avenue resident Curtis Beebe said. He polled his neighbors shortly after the cancellation was announced and found that support for the event ran deep.

"It was just a unanimous 'Yes, let's keep it,' " he said.

Thus began the revival, and organizers say the 2006 edition will include a few updates and changes.

Unlike in previous years, when choirs were contained in church sanctuaries, Christmas entertainment will be scattered along the road on home lawns. It will include costumed Dickens carolers, a Florida Orchestra string trio and a saxophone quartet, in addition to local church choirs, children's groups and soloists.

Also, for the first time, organizers enlisted business sponsors to help boost the entertainment offerings.

Wilton Simpson, one of the sponsors, said the event is an essential part of Dade City.

"We have moved to such a politically correct society that it's not even politically correct to talk about Christmas," he said. "It's a traditional, small-town event that we should have. That's why we wanted to support it."

[Last modified December 21, 2006, 06:27:43]