Beggs truly rang in the holiday season in memorable fashion as Jingle Bell Day and the Beggs Christmas Parade transformed downtown into a scene straight out of a small-town Christmas postcard. With smiling faces lining the streets, festive floats rolling by and a spirit of togetherness felt in every corner, the celebration served as a powerful reminder of why traditions like these continue to matter.
The Beggs Christmas Parade was nothing short of spectacular, featuring 60 parade entries – a remarkable turnout that highlighted the pride and creativity of local organizations, families, schools, churches and businesses. Candy filled the streets, goody bags were handed out to excited children and laughter echoed throughout downtown as neighbors gathered to celebrate the season together.
Adding a nostalgic touch to the festivities, yard signs displaying vintage photos of downtown Beggs were placed throughout the area, sparking conversations and memories among longtime residents while giving newcomers a glimpse into the town’s rich history. This year’s parade also carried special significance as Beggs celebrated its 125th birthday, marking more than a century of community, resilience and hometown pride.
The Beggs Area Chamber of Commerce extended heartfelt appreciation to everyone who helped make the parade possible, including a special thank you to Mickey Shaffer, whose organization and leadership ensured the parade moved smoothly and safely from start to finish.
Jingle Bell Days further amplified the holiday cheer, offering what many described as “pure small-town magic.” Festive floats, cheerful greetings, and an unmistakable hometown spirit filled the day as residents and visitors alike came together to celebrate the season. From browsing booths to enjoying time with family and friends, the event reflected Beggs at its best – warm, welcoming and community-driven.
As part of the festivities, several community members were recognized as Shop Beggs Jingle Bell ticket winners, encouraging residents to support local businesses during the holiday season. Congratulations went to Vaughn Blankenship, Karri Mate and Katie Holdaway, along with Dietra Placio, who held the winning ticket for the knitted afghan raffle. The Chamber also congratulated the Duck family, winners of the Christmas Lighting Contest, whose festive display added even more sparkle to the season.
Behind the scenes, a dedicated group of volunteers worked tirelessly to ensure the success of both Jingle Bell Days and the Christmas Parade. The Beggs Area Chamber of Commerce offered sincere thanks to Summer Lamborn, Ali Herman, Brenda Smith, Brenda Simon and Jenni Mo, whose time, effort and love for the community were instrumental in bringing everything together.
Additional appreciation was extended to First Baptist Church of Beggs for generously allowing the use of their Fellowship Hall for the Christmas Bazaar, providing a welcoming space for vendors, shoppers and holiday fellowship.
Local businesses also played a vital role in making the season a success, supporting events, welcoming shoppers and helping keep the holiday spirit alive throughout downtown. Their participation underscored the importance of shopping local and investing in the community, especially during the holiday season.
As the lights dimmed and the decorations were packed away, one thing remained clear – Beggs once again proved that when a community comes together, magic happens. From the parade route to the bazaar halls and every smiling face in between, Jingle Bell Day and the Beggs Christmas Parade were a celebration of tradition, unity and hometown pride.
Here’s to many more years of Christmas memories in Beggs – and to the people who make this town such a special place to call home.