Merry Christmas from Christmas Town! As the lights glow a little brighter and the season wraps us in warmth, this is a wonderful moment to pause and appreciate what makes Chickasha so special. From Downtown to Shannon Springs Park, the spirit of Christmas is alive and shining—welcoming families, friends, and visitors from near and far who come to experience the joy that has become part of our Community’s identity. This season, take time to read and watch the many positive stories being shared about Chickasha. The Festival of Light continues to capture national attention, reminding the world what happens when a Community comes together with vision and heart. The Leg Lamp keeps putting smiles on faces and drawing visitors from across the globe, and Fragile: A Christmas Story Documentary is telling our story in a way that celebrates creativity, nostalgia, and the unexpected magic found right here at home. Most importantly, we want to say thank you to the merchants of Chickasha. Whether you run a shop, restaurant, hotel, or service business, you are on the front lines of hospitality every day. You welcome our visitors, take care of our locals, and help turn first-time guests into lifelong fans of Chickasha. Your decorations, friendly smiles, extended hours, and genuine pride in our town do not go unnoticed. As we gather with loved ones this Christmas, let’s continue to share the good news about our community, support our local businesses, and celebrate all the people who make Christmas Town what it is. From all of us to all of you—Merry Christmas, Chickasha, and thank you for being the very best of #TheGoodStuff.

Every year, when the Chickasha Festival of Light begins to glow and headlines start appearing across Oklahoma and far beyond, t’s easy to focus on the spectacle. The millions of lights, the families strolling through Shannon Springs Park, and the visitors who make Chickasha part of their holiday tradition. But… behind every shining display is something even brighter: our volunteers. The Festival of Light simply would not exist without the hundreds of people who give their time, energy, and heart to make it happen. Church youth groups show up ready to work, learning the value of service while creating memories they’ll carry for a lifetime. High school athletic teams volunteer together, building camaraderie off the field while helping their community shine. FFA students roll up their sleeves, bringing strong work ethic and pride in doing things the right way. Local civic clubs pick a night to spread the holiday cheer. USAO students are a huge part of the Festival as well. Young leaders who choose to invest in the town they call home, even if just for a season. And just as important are our retired volunteers, many of whom have been helping for years. Their experience, dedication, and steady presence are part of the foundation that keeps the Festival running smoothly year after year. These volunteers come from different backgrounds, different generations, and different walks of life, but they all share two things: a love for our community and a love for the Festival of Light. They show up in the heat to set it up, in the cold to keep it running, and night after night to make sure visitors leave with smiles on their faces as they experience “Christmas through the eyes of a child.” The Festival also wouldn’t happen without all the local businesses that sponsor throughout the season. Some of these businesses not only give financially, but they also commit their staff to work days to help set it up. This Festival may get national and international headlines, but it operates off of donations from visitors and sponsorships from our local Community! Next time you go through the park, take a look at who is sponsoring and thank them for making the commitment. So when the Festival of Light makes headlines, when it’s featured in the media and recognized as one of the best holiday displays in the country, we should pause and think about the people behind the scenes. The ones wearing work gloves instead of jackets, carrying extension cords instead of cameras, and giving their time so others can enjoy the magic. The Festival also wouldn’t happen without all the local businesses that sponsor throughout the season. Some of these businesses not only give financially, but they also commit their staff to work days to help set it up or work the gates. This Festival may get national and international headlines, but it operates off of donations from visitors and sponsorships from our local Community! Next time you go through the park, please make note of who is sponsoring and thank them for making the commitment. We should also offer special thanks to the visionaries who started the Chickasha Festival of Light more than 30 years ago. Their belief in what this community could create sparked a tradition that continues to grow, inspire, and bring people together every Christmas season. That’s #TheGoodStuff. Not just the lights…but the people who make them shine.