Lighting of the Public Square kicks off Demopolis’ Christmas party for the world

Editor’s Note: This article continues a series by The West Alabama Watchman on the annual Demopolis holiday event known as Christmas on the River.

Demopolis’ annual Christmas party for the world kicks off Thursday, Dec. 2, when the Christmas on the River Special Child flips the switch to light up the Public Square.

Beginning at 5:30 p.m., the event will recognize the men who came up with the idea for the original event 50 years ago: Barry Collins, Mem Webb and Hal Bloom.

After the 2021 Special Child lights the square, the living Nativity sets the scene for the reading of the Christmas Story and the naming of St. Nick, a citizen who embodies the spirit of Christmas all year long. Once St. Nick is announced, he or she will lead school children carrying homemade lanterns to the Demopolis Public Library for cookies and a visit with Santa.

In past years the Special Child was introduced by lighting the Love Lights Tree at Whitfield Regional Hospital. Because the hospital is undergoing extensive renovations, the event has been combined with the other activities.

The identity of the Special Child will not be revealed until Dec. 2. Sara Bible, chairman of the program, said the young boy, a student at Westside Elementary School, “has overcome many obstacles” since his birth and continues to face challenges.

His mother told Bible her son “has taught their family what true joy is, what it means to be joyful in all circumstances.” His teacher said the boy “has taught us how to find the light and joy in everything that we do.” He cheers for his classmates “like no other student she has ever had,” and they, in turn, cheer him on as he faces new tasks.

This is Bible’s first year to chair the Special Child program, but she said it “such a delight” and that is “encapsulates what the true meaning of Christmas is.”

Children of all ages are invited to create their own lanterns to light the way from the park to the library. The lanterns must be homemade and illuminated with a flashlight or glow stick, no open flames. Crafty lantern makers can use bottles, milk jugs or cans for the lantern and decorate it with glitter, tissue, pompons and anything else to make it festive.

Once at the library, patrons are asked to enter through the side door from the parking lot. Families will be funneled through the library to visit Santa one family at a time in the meeting room, said librarian Kathy Owings. They must bring their own cameras to take photos. Masks are encouraged.

Santa will be greeting boys and girls from 5:30-7:30 p.m.