Community News
Gillespie School Board rescinds student masking mandate – for now
Meeting in special session Monday night, members of the Community Unit School District 7 Board of Education voted unanimously Monday night to rescind its long-standing policy requiring students and staff to wear face coverings on campus.
The action comes just days after Sangamon County Circuit Judge Raylene Grischow signed a 29-page temporary restraining order on Friday negating the authority of Gov. JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Public Health to impose an emergency executive order requiring masking in response to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic for more than 30 days. The current executive order to require masks has been in effect for about 22 months.
The lawsuit originally was filed in Macoupin County Circuit Court by Greenville attorney Thomas DeVore on behalf of parents from more than 145 school districts throughout Illinois. Macoupin County school districts included as defendants are Carlinville, North Mac, Southwestern and Staunton.
The decision also runs counter to Supt. Shane Owsley’s recommendation to keep the local school district’s masking mandate in place pending the outcome of an appeal filed by the Pritzker administration on Monday. Owsley said a decision is expected for the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals by Feb. 17 and could come as early as Feb. 11. At this juncture, the Appellate Court could uphold Judge Grishchow’s restraining order, overturn her order or issue a stay, which essentially would delay enforcement of her order until the Appellate Court makes a final determination.
The language of the motion approved Monday night calls for rescinding CUSD 7’s mask mandate pending the Appellate Court either issuing a stay or reaching a decision overturning the lower court.
Judge Grischow’s decision on Friday forced school districts statewide into a weekend frenzy to interpret the ruling and ponder how to deal with it on Monday.
“I spent six or seven hours on the phone with attorneys,” Owsley said, “and it really comes down to who you talk to.” Owsley talked to outside attorneys and attorneys retained by the school district. Answering a question from board member Becky Hatlee, he said even the district’s own attorneys were mixed in their opinion of how the district should proceed. “My fear is that if we vote to go mask optional tonight and the temporary restraining order is overturned, then we’re going to have to go back and tell parents that wearing a mask is no longer optional. Once the toothpaste is out of the tube, it’s really hard to get it back in.”
Owsley also worried that if the Appellate Court upholds the state government’s executive order to require masking and the school continues to allow an optional masking policy, it could raise serious tort immunity issues for the school district. Under tort immunity, the district is obligated to avoid putting students or staff members in harm’s way. If the Appellate Court upholds the executive order, the district could then become liable for COVID-related disabilities or deaths among students or staff if it chooses to continue an optional masking policy.
Teacher’s union president Michelle Smith said she polled union members via email at the request of Supt. Owsley and Board President Mark Hayes. Two-thirds of the 84 respondents said they had no objection to a mask optional policy if the school board decided to end the district’s mandatory masking policy. The remaining one-third preferred to continue mandatory masking.
Apart from those preferences, Smith said some teachers had specific questions about procedures.
“Our understanding was that we were supposed to let students not wear a mask on Monday if they so chose,” Smith said. Some teachers apparently worried about whether or not they could be held personally liable under those circumstances for illnesses among students in their classrooms. Smith said some elementary students arrived Monday morning without masks but asked for masks to be provided, prompting some teachers to worry whether or not they were violating parental preferences by giving the child a mask.
From her email survey, Smith said some teachers had questions about whether or not the district would return to remote learning if COVID cases increase dramatically, noting that the universal preference of district teachers is for in-person instruction. A handful of teachers with underlying health concerns asked about their options if the school were to adopt an optional masking policy.
“If there was a vote tonight to go maskless, what would the union response be?” asked board member Weye Schmidt. “If we vote to go mask optional tonight, are we going to hear from the union tomorrow?”
“No, as long as other mitigations are in place, we will follow the directive of the board and board policy,” Smith said. A change in the policy would not require renegotiation of the teacher’s contract but teachers want assurances that other procedural mitigations, such as frequent and thorough classroom cleaning, will continue.
Building principals reported that most students arrived Monday morning with masks but as the day progressed, many of them removed their masks.
“Three students arrived without a mask,” said High School Principal Jill Rosentreter. “They were offered masks and they politely said, ‘No, thank you.’ By fifth period, which is the period right after lunch, I’d said 50 percent of our students were not wearing masks.”
Middle School Principal Tara Cooper nearly 100 percent of sixth-grade students arrived with masks but by the end of the day nearly half of them had taken their masks off. Seventh-grade students, for the most part, wore masks during the day but among eighth-graders only about 10 percent of students continued to wear masks at the end of the day. “By the end of the day, our kids were pretty well unmasked,” she said.
Angela Turcol, Ben-Gil Elementary Teacher, said elementary students started the day wearing masks and continued to do so through most of the day. Some parents, however, contacted the school to ask the district to remove masks from their children.
All three principals agreed that the numbers they reported on Monday would probably be the norm if the board voted for an optional mask policy.
“I’d say students will be about 50/50,” Rosentreter commented, adding that the majority of staff members would be likely to continue wearing a mask.
“I fully understand there are people on both sides of this issue,” Owsley commented. “Whatever the board decides, I will do as I am directed. I just want to make sure I have given you all the options.”
Monday night’s meeting was moved to the middle school gymnasium, presumably in anticipation of a large crowd. Ultimately only 30 or so persons attended, including a contingent of unmasked parents who sat at the rear of the room. There were a few tense moments when Jamie Trumpy, a parent, engaged with the board moments before the board voted to rescind the district’s current mandatory masking policy.
Trumpy insisted the local district was required to end mandatory masking because of Friday’s court order.
Owsley pointed out CUSD 7 was not a defendant in the lawsuit, though page 25 of Judge Grischow’s order declares Pritzger’s executive order “null and void,” which would imply it is universally applicable.
“It’s been proven in court that the governor cannot issue an emergency order for more than 30 days,” Trumpy said, as he recorded video of the meeting on his cell phone. “As of Friday, it’s not legal for you to require masks. You guys are violating a court order.”
Schmidt asked if unmasked students would be removed from the classroom if the mask mandate were allowed to stand.
Trumpy responded that the district could not remove unmasked students, alleging it would violate the students’ due process rights under the 14th amendment. “The 14th amendment says they have a right to an education,” he asserted. He said the court ruled that masking amounts to a form of quarantine and that students cannot be quarantined without a court order.
“It does us no good to walk out the door tonight without making a decision,” Schmidt said, suggesting the district seemed to be leaning toward simply not enforcing the mask mandate while leaving the policy on the books. That course, he said, could put the district at more legal risk than going on record to make optional masking a policy. As an example, he said the district would be sued if it had an unenforced policy to provide crossing guards and a student was hit by a car at an unguarded crossing.
Schmidt moved to rescind the mask mandate and make masking optional until such time that the Appellate Court rules otherwise.
“The masks don’t work,” Trumpy declared. “If they work so well, the people who are still wearing them will be protected.”
President Hayes advised Trumpy that he failed to take advantage of a public comment period earlier in the meeting. Trumpy responded that he didn’t know what questions would be coming up.
“You’re hired by us,” Trumpy said. “You have to work for the people. At this point, you’re not. You’re wrapped up with the union. You’re not working for the students.”
Hayes asked for an officer to remove Trumpy from the room.
“You really want to do that!” Trumpy responded. “You want to remove me from a public meeting.” While an officer did come forward to observe, Trumpy remained in his seat and continued to comment on the proceedings.
Responding to Trumpy’s assessment of mask efficacy, board member Jack Burns said cloth masks like the one he was wearing were not intended to protect the individual but were thought to be effective in preventing germ transmission to others around him. N95 and KN95 masks like the one worn by board member Dennis Tiburzi, however, could be effective in protecting the wearer, Burns said.
“Absolutely, Mr. Burns,” Trumpy said. “The federal government has given you billions of dollars to buy masks like that. I’d like to know why that hasn’t been done. How much money did you get?”
Owsley said he could get an exact figure for Trumpy after the meeting and noted the district bought “thousands” of paper masks to supply students.
One mother among the spectators said her child was harassed for not wearing a mask. She said the child was told he or she could not ask a question because they were not masked. Owsley and Hayes both said bullying of unmasked students would not be tolerated. Owsley asked the mother to meet with him after the meeting.
Schmidt’s motion lingered several minutes without a second. Eventually, Hayes offered a second to bring the issue to a vote. During a roll call vote, all members voted “yes,” with several pondering a few seconds before casting their vote.
“No one knows whether the Appellate Court will overturn this,” Alepra commented. “If it’s overturned, does everyone realize the mask will go back on?”
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Ye Olde Christmas is the theme of the Macoupin County Historical Society’s annual Christmas Show, which will be held Friday through Sunday, December 5–7, at the John C. Anderson Home and Museum, 920 West Breckenridge in Carlinville.
“The Christmas Show is one of the most magical times to visit the Anderson Home,” said MCHS Board Member and House Manager Brandy England. “Some families make it an annual Christmas tradition to visit the Anderson Home when it is decorated for Christmas. It’s a great opportunity to get into the Christmas spirit and pick up some ideas for decorating your own home for the holidays.”
MCHS member Kendra Mize, of Bunker Hill, who has coordinated the decorating effort for more than two decades, has again marshalled a small army of volunteers to decorate all 13 rooms of the home. Each room features a themed Christmas tree, along with mantle pieces, centerpieces, tabletop decor, garlands and florals, and other special touches.
The home will be open for self-guided tours from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Friday, December 5; from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturday, December 6; and from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday, December 7.
“We’re very excited to offer for the first time candlelight tours from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Friday and Saturday,” said Shawna Ashby, who serves as a co-manager with England. “Viewing the decorated home by candlelight promises to be a magical experience.”
The final candlelight tours on Friday and Saturday start at 7:30 p.m. Admission to the home is five dollars for adults and one dollar for children ages five to 12, with four-year-olds and younger admitted free of charge.
The Anderson Home Gift Shop will be open during tour hours, offering one-of-a-kind gift items and stocking stuffers. Santa Claus will be on hand in the downstairs parlor to greet children and listen to their Christmas wishes from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, December 6.
While the decorated home is the centerpiece of the Christmas Show, several other features on the Historical Society’s grounds will be open. The Red Barn will be open and serving hearty beef stew, chili, homemade pies, and warming holiday beverages such as wassail and hot chocolate on Friday and Saturday.
The General Store and Print Shop will be decorated and open to the public, with the Print Shop offering its popular handmade Christmas cards and other items produced in the shop; kids can print their own blank “Santa List” to keep track of their Christmas wishes.
“The General Store offers unique gift items, including some small antiques, for shoppers to peruse,” England noted.
Local blacksmiths will demonstrate their craft in the MCHS Blacksmith Shop located on the north side of the Historical Society Grounds, with wrought iron gift items, including stocking hooks and decorative pieces, available for purchase.
The Macoupin County Historical Society’s Christmas Show runs concurrently with the Carlinville Christmas Market and Downtown Christmas events, and a free trolley and shuttle buses include the Anderson Home as a regular stop during the festivals, enabling visitors to ride from the square or the Macoupin County Fairgrounds to the Historical Society grounds.
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Members of the Community Unit School District 7 Board of Education on Monday night voted to approve a property tax levy request totaling $3,920,295 for 2025 property taxes payable in 2026. Because of tax caps and other factors, however, the district expects to collect only an estimated $3,786,607 of the requested amount.
In addition to acting on the tax levy, the board also held a lengthy discussion regarding annual district “report cards” issued by the Illinois State Board of Education to assess school performance from last year, approved a high school band/choir performance trip to Chicago in March, and agreed to apply for a school maintenance grant of up to $50,000 in matching funds.
The new proposed levy exceeds last year’s tax extension of $3,599,569 by more than $320,726—an increase of about nine percent if the levy were to be approved at the county level. The more realistic anticipation of $3,786,607 exceeds last year’s extension by $187,038, or an increase of about three percent. A Property Tax Extension Limitation Law (PTELL), approved by Macoupin County voters in 1995, restricts increases in the levy to five percent or the federal Consumer Price Index (CPI), whichever is less. This year’s CPI is estimated at 2.9 percent.
The approved levy seeks $1,650,000 for the Education Fund while expecting to realize $1,653,831; $450,229 for Operations & Maintenance, while anticipating $438,041; $200,000 for Transportation while expecting $180,434; $35,000 for Working Cash while expecting $42,602; $174,700 for the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund while anticipating $117,788; $154,101 for Social Security while expecting $105, 248; $247,264 for Tort while anticipating $240,570; and $33,501 for Special Education while expecting $32,593. For Bond and Interest, which is not subject to PTELL, the district is levying $975,500 while anticipating the same amount.
Local property tax revenue accounts for about 20 percent of the district’s overall annual budget.
Because the levy request exceeds 105 percent of the previous year’s extension, a public hearing is required. That hearing is scheduled at the start of the board’s regular December meeting at 6 p.m., Monday, Dec. 15. In the meantime, the proposed levy is available for public inspection on the district’s website and in the district office.
Using a PowerPoint presentation, Owsley emphasized the levy request is essentially a wish list for what the district would like to raise through property taxes.
“The levy is the ‘Christmas list’ I talk about every year,” Owsley said. “If you don’t put it on the list, you’re not going to get it.”
Projecting what the district can legally seek under tax caps can be challenging because the district’s total equalized assessed valuation will not be confirmed until after Jan. 1 while state law requires the district to file its levy request before the end of December. For that reason, local school districts routinely file requests that exceed what they actually expect to receive in property tax revenue, and rely on the County Clerk to adjust the request to the maximum amount the district can receive.
“Because of tax caps, we have one shot to capture increases in the EAV and new construction,” Owsley said. “If we don’t do that, we lose it in perpetuity.”
To calculate the new levy, Owsley projected a 15.12 percent increase in the EAV—nearly double the previous year’s rate of increase. By overestimating the EAV growth, the district expects to capture the entire increase in assessed valuation when that number is finally determined.
“Even though we know the EAV will likely be around the historical average, we base our levy on a much higher amount so as not to lose revenue from new growth,” Owsley told the board. “We can do this without running the risk of overtaxing taxpayers because the district will receive no more than what we are entitled to by law.”
Owsley said relatively stable increases in EAV have resulted in a steadily declining tax rate. Since 2014 when the rate was $4.24 per $100 in EAV, the rate has fallen to $3.20 for 2024. In other words, the county can use a lower rate to generate the extension to which the district is entitled because the value of taxable property has increased.
“As long as the EAV goes up by more than the Consumer Price Index, our tax rates are going to go down,” Owsley noted.
SCHOOL DISTRICT REPORT CARDS
The board spent several minutes discussing recently released school report cards issued by the Illinois State Board of Education. Interested persons can view local report cards by visiting https://www.illinoisreportcard.com/.
All three attendance centers received a “Commendable” designation, meaning there are no student groups that are underperforming academically, and the high school graduation rate exceeds 67 percent. Last year, BenGil Elementary School achieved an “Exemplary” designation—the top designation a school can achieve.
Elementary Principal Angela Sandretto said administrators knew the school would not earn an Exemplary rating, even though students are state average in English/language arts, math and science. The Report Card designations are based on growth rather than academic performance. With students already exceeding state standards last year, the opportunity for growth was limited.
Assistant Principal Tara Cooper agreed, noting BenGil Elementary’s student performance is in the upper half of schools statewide that are meeting academic standards. “So, while we are not ‘Exemplary,’ we’re very happy with where we are.”
Supt. Owsley told the board the State Board of Education is working on revamping the assessment system because of the growth vs. performance issue. “That’s why they’re redoing all of this because they are penalizing schools for meeting goals,” he said.
For Gillespie Middle School, the report card shows students meeting or exceeding state averages in math and science but significantly lagging in English/language arts.
“ELA is our most concerning area,” Principal Patrick McGinthy told the board, “along with absenteeism.” The report card shows a chronic absenteeism rate of 25 percent, but Owsley and other administrators said the rate is exacerbated by the State Board of Education including nearly all absences whether or not they are excused.
Rosentreter noted the State Board will allow a student to be absent five days for illness without a doctor’s excuse. On the sixth day, however, the absence is unexcused unless the parent or guardian provides a doctor’s slip. Many parents, however, are reluctant to pay for a doctor’s visit for a child that is suffering from a minor illness.
McGinthy said Middle School teachers are attempting to address the deficiency in English/language arts by increasing writing exercises and requiring students to write in conjunction with other curriculum areas.
Rosentreter noted that the assessment standards for high schools differ from the standards for elementary and middle schools in that the State Board emphasizes graduation rates. For Gillespie, the graduation rate is an impressive 86 percent, though chronic absenteeism checks in at 31 percent.
“Math is definitely our shining star,” Rosentreter said, noting the school scored 17.8 points compared with the state average of 18. The school performed less well in the areas of English/language arts and science, scoring 16 points on ELA compared with the state score of 18 and 17.2 points compared with the state average of 19.
The report cards are based on results for the Illinois Assessment of Readiness (IAR) test for elementary and middle school students, and ACT scores for high school students.
Administrators said it’s difficult to motivate students to do well on state-mandated tests since the tests do not affect the student’s grade point average. To incentivize testing, Rosentreter said the high school is offering to let students skip final exams if they hit state standards on the mandated tests.
Owsley noted that the district report card documents the continuing decline in school enrollment—dropping from 1,325 seven years ago to 1,082 for the 2024-25 academic year.
“We don’t see that turning around anytime soon,” Owsley said. “It’s not just a Gillespie thing; it’s a trend for schools throughout Macoupin County.
BAND/CHOIR TRIP TO CHICAGO
Following a presentation by band/choir instructor Brad Taulbee, the board approved a high school band and choir performance tour to Chicago set for March 19-21. Taulbee said the tour company retained for the trip places emphasis on security and safety for traveling students. The company supplements hotel security with its own security personnel to monitor student rooms during the trip.
The tour includes workshop sessions at Vandercook College in downtown Chicago, and performances by the choir at the John Hancock Center and by the band at one of the city’s museums.
Taulbee said he is attempting to keep the cost affordable for participating students. Depending upon the number of students who ultimately go on the trip, he said he expects the cost to be about $739 per person. Additionally, he is lining up sponsors who can help with expenses for students who could not otherwise afford to participate.
“Security is my main concern,” said Board President Mark Hayes. “We just came back from there and seven people were shot in the area we were in.”
Taulbee said he expects to recruit seven to 10 chaperones and will ensure that the ratio of students to chaperones does not exceed 1:10.
SCHOOL MAINTENANCE GRANT
The board concurred with Supt. Owsley’s recommendation to again apply for a state School Maintenance grant of up to $50,000. The grant is a “matching” grant requiring the district to match grant funds dollar for dollar. The district has successfully applied for the grant for the past several years.
If the application is successful, Owsley said the funds will likely be used to remove asbestos-containing floor tiles in the choir room and elsewhere in the Middle School.
PERSONNEL
Following an executive session of about 40 minutes to discuss personnel and other issues, the board voted unanimously to accept the resignation of Tim Wargo as an assistant high school baseball coach and post the position as vacant, and voted to appoint Wargo as the head high school baseball coach for the coming season.
In separate actions, the board approved maternity leaves for Alexis Lupkey, district paraprofessional, and Gear-Up Coordinator Jordan Bartok. Lupkey’s leave is tentatively scheduled from Dec. 8 through March 18. Bartok’s leave is expected from Dec. 12 through Jan.6.
Board members voted unanimously to hire Christopher Whaley as a substitute bus driver, pending a routine background check and documentation of certification.
The board also voted unanimously to terminate Makayla Huff as a three-hour cook and post the position as vacant.
On a motion by Bill Carter, seconded by Weye Schmidt, the board voted unanimously to rehire fall coaches as follows: Jordan Bartok as head high school girls volleyball coach with Shelsie Price, as an assistant coach; Cory Bonstead as head football coach with Nate Henrichs, Jarrod Herron, Korben Clark, Alex Jasper, J.O. Kelly, Billy Gill and Florian Seferi as assistant and volunteer assistant coaches; Jay Weber as head coach for the parent-funded high school cross-country program with Jack Burns as a volunteer assistant coach; Jake Kellebrew as head coach for the parent-funded high school golf program, with Michael Otten as a volunteer assistant coach; Tim Wargo as head middle school baseball coach with Trae Wargo as assistant coach; Michelle Smith as head middle school softball coach with Jim Matesa, Joe Kelly and Melissa Heigert as assistant coaches; and Liz Thackery as head coach for the parent-funded middle school cross-country program with Laura Peterson as a volunteer assistant coach.
DISTRICT FOCUS
During a District Focus segment, Supt. Owsley introduced newly hired School Resource Officer Jacob Linhart, and High School Principal provided a report with photos of a recent school-wide Veterans Day observance.
Linhart, who has served five years as a police officer on the Gillespie Police Department, replaces Wade Hendricks, who recently retired after serving three years as the CUSD 7 School Resource Officer.
Linhart said it is a “great privilege” to serve as a Resource Officer, protecting students and staff. “I’m honored that you guys are allowing me to do it,” he said.
High School Principal Rosentreter said the school served breakfast to about 200 veterans and their families Tuesday morning, Nov. 11. Later, the veterans were joined by nearly 700 high school and middle school students for a recognition ceremony in the high school gymnasium.
Since the event coincided with the 25th anniversary of CUSD 7’s Wall of Honor program, the annual event did double duty as an induction ceremony for five are individuals, all of whom happened to be U.S. Military veterans.
The inductees included the late Sergeant Major John Marion Malnar, Command Sergeant Major John “Jack” Burns, Colonel Mark Daley, Lieutenant Colonel William P. Falke and Captain Robert Leone. Rosentreter said Daley and Leone traveled with their families from Colorado and Texas, respectively, to attend the ceremonies.
Burns, a retired CUSD 7 teacher, later visited BenGil Elementary School to present a program and teach students how to properly fold an American flag.
Rosentreter recognized the City of Gillespie for a donation of $1,000 to help purchase food for the veterans.
Born in Benld and a resident of Sawyerville, “Big John” Malnar earned a Silver Star during the Korean Conflict and a Gold Star, awarded posthumously after he was killed in action in 1968 in Vietnam. A Marine training center at Camp Geiger in North Carolina is named in his honor.
Though not a Wall of Honor inductee, Jacob Miller, a 100-year-old World War II veteran and recipient of two Purple Hearts, was recognized with a standing ovation.
The annual Veterans Day breakfast and ceremony provides students with an opportunity to meet and recognize local veterans as potential role models for their own futures.
Owsley said the event is a major event on the district’s calendar which grew out of a simple flagpole ceremony initiated 25 years ago.
CEJA GRANT FUNDS
Board members briefly discussed plans for about $74,000 in anticipated Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA) grant funds. The federal program is intended to compensate communities that have experienced revenue loss as a result of coal mine closures.
Owsley said the district committed about $86,000 in last year’s CEJA grant funds to the City of Gillespie to help pay for improvements to Plum Street, which is heavily used by district school buses. He has not transferred those funds, however, pending the start of the project.
Owsley said he was seeking the board’s input on how the money should be used.
“We could continue to partner with the city on Plum Street,” he said. “But there are plenty of project areas within the school.” The money could be used, for example, for continuing asbestos abatement. He identified other upcoming needs, including a new roof for the high school/middle school and an HVAC project.
President Hayes pointed out the school district paid for improvements to Kelly Street when BenGil Elementary was built and subsidized a project to reconfigure drainage on Broadway Street, in addition to the dollars committed for Plum Street.
“The school district is not in the business of building roads,” he said. “I think we’ve been more than generous with the city.”
Board member Peyton Bernot agreed the money should be committed for use by the school district.
TRIPLE I CONFERENCE
Several board members who attended a conference for board members and administrators Friday-Saturday, Nov. 21-23, in Chicago, commented briefly about their take-aways from conference sessions. Popularly known as the Triple I Conference, the convention is sponsored by the Illinois Association of School Boards, Illinois Association of School Administrators and the Illinois Association of School Business Officials.
Owsley said more than 700 Illinois school districts were represented, making the Triple I the largest gathering of education professionals in North America.
Bernot briefly reported on a session he attended regarding upcoming legislation and financial outlooks for school districts. He described the session as “much less optimistic” than sessions he’s attended in the past.
Owsley was among the convention presenters, discussing social-emotional learning. He commented that several districts attending reported efforts to involve students in school administrators. Some districts, he said, appointed a non-voting student representative to the school board to take part in discussions directly affecting students.
“When you think about it, we hear from faculty members and we hear from parents,” Hayes commented. “The people we don’t hear from are the most important part of what we do.”
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The Holiday Sparkle Committee of Gillespie is preparing for the 4th Annual Holiday Sparkle Lighted Parade and Community Tree Lighting, set for Sunday, November 30, at 6:00 p.m. in downtown Gillespie. This beloved community tradition invites residents and visitors to kick off the holiday season with lights, music, and festive cheer.
Food trucks will line the parade route starting at 4:00 p.m., offering a variety of tasty options for families to enjoy before and during the celebration. The event will culminate in the illuminated parade and the ceremonial lighting of the community tree, signaling the official start of the season’s celebrations.
A highlight of this year’s festivities will be a special performance by Gillespie area students in grades 3 through 5. The group will join together to sing Christmas carols, lending their voices to the town’s joyous welcome to the holidays.
Parade participants are invited to bring extra sparkle to the evening—whether by entering a parade float, walking in the parade, or simply attending to enjoy the atmosphere. Participation helps make the event truly magical for the entire community. The only requirement for the parade is all entries have to incorporate holiday lighting.
To join the parade lineup, interested participants can sign up at https://forms.gle/L7Q4tEkgjj8Lt5E47. The Holiday Sparkle Committee expresses gratitude for the ongoing support of residents, businesses, and volunteers who help bring this festive occasion to life each year.
The second part of the holiday festivities will take place on Saturday, December 13 when the Sparkle will sponsor the vendor fair and food trucks in downtown Gillespie including a visit from Santa. Vendors will be located in the Gillespie Civic Center, Zion Lutheran Church, and Emma G’s Upscale Boutique while local businesses and eateries will also be open. An egg nog jog benefitting Gillespie Cross Country will also be held on December 13 and interested participants can join here.
The Holiday Sparkle Committee invites everyone to mark their calendars and join in the celebration. For more information, please contact the committee by email at gillespieholidaysparkle@gmail.com or visit Gillespie Holiday Sparkle on Facebook.
