The band, carolers and food trucks to highlight mayor's lighting extravaganza

Over a billion lights in King Jack Park will be turned on Saturday night during the Mayor’s Christmas Lighting Extravaganza.

Mayor Lynn Ragsdale will push the plunger turning on the lights at 6 p.m. Saturday. The public is invited to the annual – but enhanced – ceremony.

It is being moved the parking lot south of the streetcar depot to accommodate the Webb City High School Cardinal Pride Band, carolers from the Pinnochio School of Dance plus a couple of food trucks in addition to the crowd.

After the lights come on, the Polar Bear Express will make its first rounds around the park. Unfortunately, there are NO more tickets available.

However, people will be encouraged to drive through the park to enjoy the light displays that have been built and installed by parks department employees.

The parks department adds to the light show each year. Standing out this year will be the tall trees in the center of the front portion of the park, where they’ll be visible from the highway.

A fan favorite, the Ferris wheel, with happy animal cutouts in the seats, has been improved and moved to the front of the park. It was missing last year because it had been damaged by vandals but has now been revamped.

This will be the 15th year for the Polar Bear Express, which Erin Turner, community development director, was a factor in choosing A Classic Christmas as the theme for the city’s events this year, including the parade.

Management of the Webb City Christmas Parade is being managed by the city for the first time since Project Graduation retired from doing it.

The parade will be at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 4.

Turner says the entry application period ended with 40 entries being accepted.

The main difference is that the parade will go in the opposite direction. It will start at Stadium Boulevard and travel south on Main Street to Second Street, at City Hall.

Judging the floats will be actor Andrew McGowan, City Administrator Carl Francis and Jasper County Clerk Charlie Davis.

When the parade ends, Santa and Mrs. Claus will stick around for approximately a half hour to visit with children in the City Hall parking lot.

Businesses are encouraged to stay open through the parade, and the best decorated window will be honored.