Three days of Christmas activities help set the tone for a bright Chester Christmas
By Jim Beers
CHESTER – The annual Christmas on the River Celebration in Chester was held Friday, Saturday and Sunday December 5, 6, and 7 throughout the city. The celebration began decades ago in Chester to kick-off the Christmas season and has been a tradition ever since.
Patti Carter, City Recreation Director, said, “I think everything went well except for the cold weather that came Saturday night. The Tree Lighting Ceremony and other activities at the Memorial Park got pretty cold. It was so nice and sunny all afternoon, then the wind came and cooled everything off that evening. Other than that, I think all went very well!”
The event began Friday evening December 5 with the traditional Craft Sale and Christmas Markets at the VFW in Chester and at the Randolph County Courthouse. The Mississippi Valley Art Guild was open for visits, arts and craft sales, and great fellowship. From 5-8 P.M. the annual Reindeer Games took place, beginning at Chester City Hall.
Saturday December 6 was full of numerous activities throughout the city beginning at 9 A.M. and not ending until after Santa’s Street Party that evening.
Once again, the Craft Sale and Christmas Market was available both at the Chester VFW and Randolph County Courthouse. This event began at 9 a.m. and ended at 5 p.m. The event is always a crowd pleaser each year and draws many people to the weekend celebration.
From 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. St. John’s PTL hosted their annual Christmas Bazaar at the St. John Parish Hall. The St. Nicholas Landmark Race to the North Pole took place at 9 A.M. and had great clear, sunny, and dry weather for the event.
The Stone Cottage Open House was available from 10 A.M. until 2 P.M., and the Mississippi Valley Art Guild was open from 10 a.m. till 5 p.m. Many members had arts and craft items for sale along with tasty pastry.
Just the right time for lunch was the Peace Lutheran Church Soup Tasting event, Luncheon, and Holiday Shopping opportunity. This event was available from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m.
A brand new event this year was the Chester High School Christmas Extravaganza sponsored and run by the CHS Student Council. This event began at 1 p.m. and lasted until 4 p.m. Youngsters were able to see Santa Claus, play various games, eat snacks, watch the Grinch Christmas movie, and engage in several other Christmas activities. It was a fun-filled afternoon for both the Student Council members as well as the parents and children who attended the event.
A highlight of the festive weekend is always the Holiday Lighted Parade. The parade left the Chester High School at 5:30 P.M. and made its way to the area of the Chester Gazebo and Memorial Park.
The parade featured a combined Chester High School and Chester Grade School Band, lighted floats, fire engines, police cars, walking units and merchant vehicles. In spite of the cold, breezy, weather, a large crowd came out along the parade route to enjoy the action.
This year the Christmas on the River Committee decided to hold the lighting of the City’s Christmas Trees at Memorial Park until after the parade. The two trees and other holiday decorations at the park were lit at a ceremony at the park immediately following the conclusion of the 2025 Christmas on the River Parade.
Chester Aldermen Randy Dudenbostle and Don Berry joined Chester Mayor, Joe Eggemeyer at the park to conduct the Tree Lighting Ceremony. Don Berry gave a brief introduction to the event, followed by a Christmas Scripture and Prayer.
Mayor Eggemeyer welcomed everyone to the ceremony and announced the winners of the Christmas Decorating Contest. The trees were then turned on to present a beautiful backdrop for all of the activities to come at Santa’s Street Party.
The Street Party was held began shortly after the Tree Lighting Ceremony in the area adjacent to the Memorial Park. Children were invited to take part in Kid’s Games, a Petting Zoo, Fun Activities, Visits with Santa and Mrs. Claus, and a Christmas Movie titled, “Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer. Food, Drinks and FREE Hot Dogs and Hot Cocoa were served.
Sunday December the weekend activities slowly wound down. Still available from 11 A.M till 2 P.M. were the Craft Sales and Christmas Markets at both the VFW in Chester as well as the Randolph County Courthouse.
Patti Carter, Chester Recreation Director, noted that this Saturday December 13, the Cookies and Cocoa event will be held at City Hall to afford shelter from the cold weather. Santa fans can begin to arrive at 2 pm with Santa and Mrs. Claus arriving at 2:30 pm.
This is a view of the Craft Fair hosted at the Randoph County Courthouse Friday December 5 on the3 first day of the 2025 Christmas on the River Celebration in Chester. Jim Beers Photo
Members of the Art Guild pose for a photo Saturday December 6 on the second day of the 2025 Christmas on the River Celebration. Pictured (left to right) are Rachel Nance, Barb McCormick, Will Harris, and Michelle Daschka. Jim Beers Photo
The Chester VFW hosted a Craft Sale and Christmas Market all three days at the 2025 Christmas on the River Celebration. Pictured are some of the many vendors located at the VFW. Jim Beers Photo
The St. John PTL Christmas Bazaar was held Saturday December 6 at the St. John Parish Hall in Chester. Many Craft booths were available along with delicious food items for lunch. Jim Beers Photo
Santa was on hand Saturday December 6 at the 1st Annual Chester High School Student Council Christmas Extravaganza. The event was held from 1-4 PM in the Dr. James F. Sharp Cafeteria as well as in Colbert memorial Gym. Shown here two little ones enjoy a visit with Santa Claus at which time they had a chance to sit on his lap and tell Santa what they wanted for Christmas. Jim Bers Photo
The CHS Student Council hosted a bake sale at the Christmas Extravaganza Saturday December 6 to help raise funds to help support the many projects sponsored by the Student Council. Jim Beers Photo
Santa and Mrs. Claus made their debut to close out the 2025 Holiday Lighted Parade Saturday December 6 at 6 p.m. Jim Beers Photo
The Chester High School Band and Chester Grade Schol Band combined to form one band to march in the 2025 Holiday Lighted Parade Saturday December 6 at 6 p.m. It was Mr. and Mrs. Colonel’s last Christmas on the River Parade as they will retire in May of 2026. Mr. Colonel is Director of the CHS Band while Mrs. Colonel is Director of the CGS Band. Jim Beers Photo
Randy Dudenbostle, Alderman, Don Berry, Alderman, and Mayor Joe Eggemeyer, open the Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony at the Memorial Park in Chester. Jim Beers Photo
Vicky Beers of Chester enjoyed offering her hand-made Christmas Ornaments to the public at the Christmas on the River Craft Sale at the Randolph County Courthouse. Vicky is a regular vendor at the annual event and plans to return next December for the 2026 Craft Sale. Jim Beers Photo
Vendors at the VFW location of the Craft Sales and Christmas Market were busy each day and had a great time offering their goods to a very interested and eager shopping public. Jim Beers Photo
Shoppers young and old thoroughly enjoyed visiting the Craft Sales and Christmas Markets offered at the 2025 Christmas on the River Celebration. Shown her at the VFW location were Averi Mueller and her son Theodore Roth (left) and Brandy Stewart and her daughter Mya Glover. Jim Beers Photo
A crowd favorite in the 2025 Christmas on the River Parade was the Ames Construction float which depicted the new Chester Bridge being built by their agency. Jim Beers Photo
Scott Rust, owner of the Chester Dairy Quen, entered a vehicle in the 2925 Christmas on the River Parade. Jim Beers Photo
Band Directors Steve and Sue Colonel are shown marching with their bands in the 2025 Chester Christmas on the River Parade. Steve is the CHS Band Director while Sue is the Chester Grade School Band Director. This year was special for the Colonels because it marked their FINAL Christmas on the River Parade. Both will retire at the end of the 2025-26 school year! Jim Beers Photo
Mayor Joe Eggemeyer addresses the crowd at the tree lighting ceremony Saturday December 6. Jim Beers Photo