Straight out of a Hallmark movie, the St. James Chamber of Commerce is aiming to bring merry everything — enchantment, wonder, warmth, hope, excitement, community, and connection — all in the form of seasonal decorating and a festive parade to celebrate the holiday season. 

The downtown Walker Pavilion on East Washington Street will be in full decoration mode for the 5 p.m. parade, themed “Joy to the World.”  A visit from Santa will follow the annual parade. 

For over a decade, the St. James Chamber of Commerce has planned the annual event and been in charge of decorating the gazebo. According to Kelly Money, St. James Chamber of Commerce executive director, the Walker Pavilion in the past was a Christmas tree with garland. But in the last few years, they wanted to enhance visibility and make it a place where residents and visitors could create a magical photographic experience and memory from year to year. 

“I think it is about nostalgia, beauty and connection,” Money said of what makes the decorated pavilion so special. “It reminds us to take time to get out, check out what we have to appreciate about our town. We love making things beautiful for our town, for our citizens and businesses to enjoy. St James is a special town where you can still have an old-fashioned Christmas with a parade, quaint shops to visit. The decorating of the plaza with lights.” 

The planning and decorating for the Walker Pavilion, Money said, started in early fall. Inspiration comes from ideas and images, and then a plan is put together. The team that makes all the decorating magic happen includes Money, Gary Huffman, Kimmy Auxier and Barb Gahr. 

A good weather date is then selected in November, before Thanksgiving, to decorate. A variety of sources from local retailers provide the decorations that make the finished result a comparable scene out of a holiday Hallmark movie. 

“The beautiful Santa's Christmas shop banner was an additional purchase this year for both front and back, giving it our theme,” Money said. “We have two Christmas Trees and snow for the bench. A beautiful antique Christmas bench was given to the Chamber by Carolyn Wittkop from Wittkop Stables for Santa Claus to sit on after the parade. The bench is brought down to the pavilion the day of the Christmas parade.”

Besides the decorated Walker Pavilion being a holiday highlight, Money said the St. James Christmas parade is equally special in part due to it beginning at night, “which makes all the floats that are lit look magical.” Over the last few years, the parade has had over 50 entries, which makes it even more exciting, Money said. 

“The St. James Chamber sends the theme out at the end of September so the community has time to work on their floats and entries to support the theme,” Money said. “The finale of the parade is the St. James Fire Trucks bringing Santa Claus into town. He then lands at the Walker Pavilion for kids to meet, have hot chocolate and chocolate chip cookies.” 

The parade route leaves the Missouri Veterans Home, heads south through town on Highway 68, and ends at St. James High School. The American Legion will kick the parade off with the American flag color guard. Mayor Rick Krawiecki will lead at the front of the parade. Additionally, several churches in the area participate in the event, as well as youth groups and the St. James High School Marching Band. 

“It’s the kind of hometown Christmas celebration that brings the entire community together — festive, heartwarming, and simply magical,” Money said. 

There is no cost to visit or take pictures at the Walker Pavilion. The display will be up through New Year’s Day. The parade begins at 5 p.m. on Dec. 6, followed by a visit with Santa at Walker Pavilion. There will also be a Christmas Market on Dec. 6 on East Washington Street, at the same time as the parade.