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Nola Sizemore

Staff Writer

Getting ready for Christmas was a topic for discussion at a meeting of the Evarts Tourist and Convention Commission on Monday. Plans were made for this year’s Christmas Parade and decorations to be placed around the city.

After several suggestions were made, the commission decided “A Christmas Dream” will be the theme for this year’s Christmas Parade, which will be held on Sunday, Dec. 2. Lineup for the parade will begin at 1 p.m.

“We recently purchased over $1,000 worth of decorations for the city from local resident Evelyn Philpot,” said acting commission secretary Kristi Lamb. “She only charged us $290 for 20 large wreaths, two wooden candy canes, one large box of over 100 bows, one large box of new garland with 25 to 30 sets, one wooden nativity scene, three large wooden angels, three wooden reindeer, one wooden sleigh and Santa Claus and two pop-up snowmen. Everything was in excellent condition. Evelyn used these decorations, which she had purchased herself, to decorate the Clover Fork Museum in the past. She said she is downsizing this year and decided to get rid of some of the things she had used. This will be a great addition to the city and our visitors.”

A suggestion was made to place the city’s lighted Christmas Tree, which is presently atop city hall, on top of the shower house at the south Evarts RV Park. Johnson said more decorations can also be placed there because the top of the building is flat and can be fenced off to keep people from stealing items.

“We can also put picnic tables and grills up there during the summer months for local residents or visitors to use,” said Johnson.

In other action, the commission:

• Noted 12 “ATV helmets required signs” were purchased and placed in the city at a cost of $552. Also, it was noted eight “ATV speed limit signs” were purchased and installed at a cost of $368;
• Noted all restaurants and hotels are in compliance in the commission’s request to verify sales tax;
• Approved getting estimates on the purchase of a one-sided digital sign to be used for adventure tourism announcements and upcoming events;
• Noted more advertising needed to be done for the city on what is being offered in the area;
• Suggested letting high school students from Harlan County High School redesign the tourism website.

Reach Nola Sizemore at 606-573-4510 or at nsizemore@heartlandpublications.com