Chandler's Holiday in the Park to raise beautification money
By Nathan Straus News Reporter

Winchester Park-goers Saturday, November 17, will be treated to a wealth of Gospel music as the Holiday in the Park Gospel Singing event starts. The music begins at 5:30 pm and will play until the groups have all had their time on the stage.

Shirley Parmer, secretary for the city of Chandler, said this will be the first annual Holiday in the Park.

"We hope to have it each year," Parmer said.

Churches from around the area, Parmer said she would have a list of churches participating by the week of the event, will provide the Gospel singing groups.

Anyone wanting to sing Gospel music can contact Chandler City Hall at 903- 849-6853 for more information or to sign up to sing.

"It's not just limited to church groups," Parmer said, "but the deadline is November 9."

In addition to the singing there will be concessions including homemade chili, nachos, Frito pie, hot dogs and hot chocolate.

The event will be a fundraiser for the Keep Chandler Beautiful program. The money will either come from concessions purchases or from donations given at the performances. Aside from the concessions Holiday in the Park will be free to visitors.

Jo Stauber, a member of the KCB board of directors, said the event will raise funds for KCB ongoing projects as well as seasonal banners to be hung over the light poles on Highway 31.

"Right now," Stauber said Friday, November 2, "the only ongoing project is we're repaving the driveway at McCain Park at the west end of the city."

The city will have sets of banners for all times of the year for holidays such as Christmas and Thanksgiving.

"They're very expensive. At least $150 each by the time we buy the brackets to allow the flags to be attached to the poles," Stauber said.

Banners have not been chosen as of Tuesday, November 6.

KCB was started in 1996, Stauber said, when a group of concerned Chandler citizens decided to do something about the look of the town; they wanted people to stop in Chandler and perhaps buy something. In 1999 KCB joined with the Keep Texas Beautiful program.