Osage City is planning for everyone to be home for the holidays, as the town begins the season with the annual Christmas on Market Street, this Saturday, Nov. 11, 2023 in downtown Osage City. The Osage City Chamber of Commerce, sponsor of the day’s activities, has announced the theme for this year’s Christmas opening as “I’ll be home for the holidays!”

The annual event includes a day of fun, goodwill and holiday cheer as Osage City merchants and businesses open their doors for holiday shopping, sales, and prizes. Two ping pong ball drops are scheduled. Those who catch balls with numbers win prizes redeemable at local businesses. The ever popular raffle drawing promises hundreds of dollars in prizes that include goods and services from local businesses. Everyone is invited to stop into local stores for holiday specials, prizes or grab bags, and product demonstrations.

With Santa Claus in town to add his special brand of joviality and cheeriness to the event, the highlight of the evening will be the old bearded one’s ride down Market Street in the lighted Christmas parade. Also featured as celebrity guests in the parade will be the KC Chiefs Wolf and the Topeka High Drum Corps.

The parade gets underway at 6 p.m. after the downtown lighting of Christmas decorations. Here is the schedule of the day’s events.

Christmas on Market Street
Saturday, Nov. 11, 2023, Osage City, Kan.

7-10 a.m. Breakfast at Osage County Senior Center, biscuits and gravy

7 a.m.-8 p.m. Marilynn’s Restaurant, 1216 Laing St.; order from the menu.

8 a.m.-3 p.m. Osage County Senior Center “Sewing Chicks”; tour the sewing facility and view some sewing projects.

8-3 p.m. Osage City Public Library Story Stroll; start at Fifth and Holliday, follow the signs, and read “Merry Christmas, Mr. Mouse.”

7:45 a.m. – Jingle Bell 5K Run; contact Shanda Koett 620-560-5132; elementary school parking lot; register at 7:45 a.m., race begins at 8:30 a.m.

9-11 a.m. Osage County Sheriff’s booth, 102 S. Sixth; Project Lifesaver, NE Kansas Notification System, Ident-A-Kid.

9 a.m.-2 p.m. Craft show, St. Brigid Church Hall; contact Janet Bosworth to register, 785-554-5039

9 a.m.-2 p.m. Retail Poker (5 Card Stud) cash prizes, Senior Center. Visit participating businesses and pick up a free envelope with card. Winners announced at the raffle drawing.

9 a.m.-2 p.m. Beverage bar, Boy Scouts Troop 106, Sixth and Market; coffee, hot chocolate.

9 a.m.-2 p.m. Bake sale, 4-H Willing Workers and Osage County Fair Association at senior center.

9:30 a.m. Santa will arrive in Osage City on a fire truck at Sixth and Market.

10 a.m.-12 p.m. Stop in at the senior center and visit with Santa.

10 a.m.-12 p.m. Face painting, Osage City High School cheerleaders fundraiser, at the senior center

11 a.m. Food vendors, Sixth Street between Market and Holliday

12-1 p.m. Emergency services showcase, Sixth and Main; stop by to visit local emergency services personnel.

12-1:30 p.m. Fire truck rides; Sixth and Main

12:30-12:45 p.m. Ping Pong Ball Drop – Two ping pong ball drops on Sixth Street between Market and Main. Get a ball with a number on it and visit the corresponding store to collect your gift.

1-1:30 p.m. Story time at the Osage City Public Library, 515 Main St. Listen to a story and make a Christmas tree ornament.

2-4 p.m. Santa visits continue at the senior center.

2-4  p.m. Gingerbread house building at the American Legion Post 198, 115 W. Sixth St. Make a free gingerbread house; sponsored by Osage City PTA.

2:15-2:30 p.m. Raffle drawing; need not be present to win; Sixth and Market. Hundreds of dollars worth of prizes. Contact Jeanette Swarts, 785-249-5451 for details. Raffle tickets will be available day of the event at the senior center and craft show.

3-4  p.m. Quarter Bingo at senior center; winner takes the pot, bring your quarters.

3:30-4 p.m. Chili Cook Off Judging at senior center. To register, contact Shanda Koett at 620-560-5132

4-5 p.m. Chili feed open to the public, senior center.

4-5 p.m. Osage School Christmas Choir, directed by Dr. Clinton Johnson, at senior center; listen and participate in singing Christmas carols.

4:45-5:45 p.m. KC Chiefs Wolf mascot meet and greet; downtown Osage City. Take a pic and get an autograph. KC Wolf will also be in the parade.

5-5:30 p.m. Topeka High Drum Corps, Sixth and Market; performance and participate in parade

5-5:30 p.m. Parade float judging and line up, West Market Street

5:45 p.m. Downtown holiday lighting, Sixth and Market Street

6 p.m. Christmas lighted parade down Market Street. To register, contact Adam Burnett at osagecityparade@gmail.com. All individuals and groups welcome to participate. Floats, marching bands, emergency service vehicles, decorated golf carts, ATVs.