LET THERE BE LIGHT

A clear, cool night helped Newton usher in the Christmas season during this year’s courthouse lighting ceremony.

The town square was packed with hundreds of people who came from all around the county to see the courthouse lights kick on for the first time this year. From families with small kids to elderly couples out for a date night, nobody wanted to miss the community tradition.

Organized by the Greater Newton Area Chamber of Commerce, the courthouse lighting theme this year was “A Retro Christmas.” All the lights and decorations, which cover the courthouse from top to bottom, all originally date back to the 1940s or 1950s.

Some might even say the lighting designs harken back to the first time the courthouse was lit.

Every year the lights are turned on for the first time by a lucky raffle winner. Hopefuls enter their names into the drawing several times during the weeks leading up the the ceremony, with this year’s lucky winner being Colleen Wittenberg.

Wittenberg, who adores the Christmas season, was extremely excited for her chance to be a part of one of Newton’s oldest holiday traditions.

Wittenberg, along with Courthouse Lighting Committee Chairman Steve Knight, began chanting the traditional countdown. At 6 p.m., the courthouse sprung to life. Knight ended the lighting festivities by thanking everyone who made this year’s ceremony possible.

“We want to just take a moment to acknowledge all the people from Jasper County Maintenance for putting in all the man hours to get this whole thing off the ground and ready in time for tonight’s ceremony,” Knight said.

The lights will remain on the courthouse until the end of the year. But the courthouse lights turning on was just the kickoff for the rest of the night’s festivities.

Visitors with kids were welcome to take a stroll inside the courthouse and visit Santa Claus.

For those who are a little too old to sit on Santa’s lap could browse the Festival of Trees organized by local 4-H clubs. Every year the clubs put together dozens of uniquely decorated trees throughout the courthouse, which many visitors used for a perfect Christmas card photo op.

There were plenty of other activities for visitors to take part in as well. Complimentary hot chocolate and Christmas cookies helped keep everyone warm while they walked around the town square looking at different decorations in shops’ front windows.

The courthouse lighting has signified the beginning of the area’s holiday season for decades and has always served as a way to bring the community together. This tradition has been a staple of Newton for decades, and will hopefully continue on for years to come.

Contact Abby Knipfel at 641-792-4687 ext. 6531 or aknipfel@shawmedia.com