The Willow Springs Chamber of Commerce is booking luncheon hosts for 2024, and will not hold Business After Hours events in November or December due to the holidays, announced chamber Director Kim McCormick. Businesses interested in hosting a luncheon should email willowspringschamber@gmail.com, or call the chamber at 417-469-5519.
McCormick shared, in the chamber’s recently-issued monthly newsletter, that this year’s Bear City Fall Festival, held Oct. 7, “was the biggest and best one yet!” More than 120 vendors participated in the event, and pleasant weather was accommodating.
“On a personal note, it was an amazing day to see so much work come together for such an amazing day, from the contests, to the vendors, to the sheer massive number of people, it was a proud day for the chamber,” she wrote. She gave kudos to five Willow Springs High School Future Business Leaders of America students who “basically manned the chamber booth on their own while I ran all over handling things,” with a smile and helpful attitude. The students, she said, were Nolan Perkins, Jordan Rutledge, Kyli Smith, Allie Martin and Emma Spence. McCormick also added a note of thanks to participating and sponsoring businesses, without whom the festival would not have been possible.
Another recent chamber event, the Oct. 31 Trunk or Treat at Booster Field, led about 400 costumed youth to brave the cold and windy evening for some trick-or-treating, McCormick Shared. That event offered face painting, hay rides, hot dogs, s’mores over a fire, a photo booth, hot cocoa and apple cider, children’s games and a costume contest. Winners of the costume contest were Trey McDaniel in the 0-5 age group, Finlee Hicks in the 6-12 age group and Jace Letterman in the 13-and-older age group.
“It was a hugely successful night and we can’t wait to start planning for next year,” she added.
Upcoming events include the Willow Springs Christmas Parade at 6 p.m. in downtown Willow Springs, themed “Christmas at the Movies.” The parade entry form is available at the chamber website, wschamber.net, under “Events” in the menu at the top of the page. Earlier that day, The Willow Springs Lions Club will partner with the chamber to host Pancakes with Santa from 8 to 10 a.m. at the Lions Clubhouse, 2532 County Road 5800. The cost is $5 per person for a menu of pancakes, sausage and a drink, plus a make-and-take ornament and visit with Santa. Attendees are welcome to take their own photos.
Then, from 10 a.m. 2 p.m. the same day, Ozarks Sweets Bakeshop will host a cookie decorating event with all supplies provided. The cost is $10 per child and includes four cookies, frosting and decorations, and hot cocoa. The shop is located at 704 E. Main Street in downtown Willow Springs. The Star Theatre will screen vintage Christmas cartoons from noon to 2 p.m., free of charge, and with free popcorn.
Letters to Santa can be dropped off at the Willow Springs Chamber of Commerce office, 120 W. Main St., in a special box dedicated to the North Pole, located by the old gas pumps. Letters will be collected from Nov. 15 through Dec. 15, and return addresses are requested so that Santa can reply.
The 2023 chamber Let it Glow Christmas light contest is underway, open to all city residents and businesses. Enter by Dec. 8 by emailing a photo of of the light display to willowspringschamber@gmail.com. Winners of residential and commercial categories will be announced Dec. 11.
The chamber is asking for various groups to help provide strolling Christmas caroling on Dec. 2 through the downtown area. Groups interested in participating should email the chamber or call 417-469-5519
Membership renewal notices will be sent out in December, said McCormick. Any current member who does not receive a notice should contact the chamber officer to verify contact information.
