Ellis County 4-H plans holiday event, helps community

Ellis County 4-H youth are hosting a free Christmas Movie Festival for the whole community from 6-9 p.m. Friday, Dec. 16, at Railyard Park. The night will include a Little Wranglers performance, a showing of Elf, a Christmas pajama contest, Christmas crafts and more.

4-H members have been planning the event since September, and it all started last year with council first vice president Macie Wimbish, 18, of Waxahachie, and another 4-H member, Kyal Browne.

“We decided that we wanted to do this (festival) instead of a Christmas party, so that we can reach the community more and spread some Christmas cheer,” Wimbish said.

At 6:30 p.m., the Little Wranglers, a country western swing dancing group, will perform their Christmas routine. At 7:30 p.m., the movie “Elf” will begin.

“It’s a Christmas movie that’s easy for everyone to watch, and it’s family friendly,” Wimbish said.

Council second vice president Lydia Browne, 15, of Waxahachie, added that it’s also “very funny,” so the community is sure to enjoy it.

There will be stations for both ornament decorating and stocking decorating for kids, which are all free.

“It gives them something to do that’s fun and still in the Christmas spirit,” council president John Michael Volentine, 18, of Waxahachie, said. “They can be creative and take it home with them.”

Concessions will also be available for attendees to purchase a cup of hot chocolate, popcorn or candy.

Along with these activities, there will be a station set up for people to help make tied fleece blankets that will be given back to the community.

“We’re going to take some of them to the nursing homes, and then we’re going to take the other half to some of the homeless shelters in south Dallas,” Sidney Atchley, Ellis County 4-H and Youth Development agent, said.

Fleece blankets are made when two different pieces of fleece are tied together. 4-H members spent hours cutting each piece of fleece by hand and pairing them together, and community members will help complete the final step at the festival – tying the pieces of fleece together. Atchley said they have 50 blankets to make.

Atchley explained how each club and member of Ellis County 4-H has their own part in helping with the festival whether it’s decorating, bringing balloons, running concessions or leading the different stations.

“We made the decision to have Christmas Movie Festival as our One Day 4-H,” Atchley said. “We have different activities for all the different communities within the county to be involved in.”

According to the Texas 4-H website, One Day 4-H is a day dedicated for 4-H members to “say ‘thank you’ to their community.”

All attendees need to bring is a blanket or lawn chair and plenty of jackets or blankets to keep them warm while enjoying the Christmas activities, the 4-H members said.

“Our goal is to give back to the community, and this is just like bringing our communities together, representing our club and spreading Christmas cheer,” Wimbish said.

“It’s not just for 4-H,” Browne said. “Anyone, even if they’re just walking by, they can come and watch the show and participate in everything.”

Originally published December 2, 2022 - https://www.waxahachiesun.com/arts_and_entertainment/ellis-county-4-h-plans-holiday-event-helps-community/article_07272178-7281-11ed-808d-9b121e37473f.html