Courtesy photo Pictured is the first place winning home for 2019, which belonged to Ashley and Brad Vetter of 1102 Wisconsin Ave. in Gladstone. The Vetter’s won the first-ever Christmas home decorating contest in Gladstone that year.

GLADSTONE — The Gladstone Downtown Development Authority is looking to keep spirits bright this holiday season with a special event on Dec. 18 to share the festive beauty of decorated homes.

The event largely replaces the annual Old Fashioned Christmas event, which would have taken place on Nov. 27. The city’s Christmas tree, located at city hall, was officially lit that night, but gone were the live nativity, snacks, crafts and visits with Santa that have made the holiday event a tradition for many families.

“Obviously the Old Fashioned Christmas this year was canceled so the DDA decided to focus more on the … house decorating,” said Shelly Claycomb, who has served as the coordinator for the Old Fashioned Christmas event for many years.

The drive-through event runs from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Dec. 18 and starts near Gladstone City Hall with a visit from Santa Claus, who will be sitting on a fire truck. Guests are asked not to leave their vehicles, but they will be able to stop and wave at Old St. Nick. When they do, members of the Gladstone DDA will come to the vehicles and to deliver Sayklly’s chocolates and a list of addresses for the decorated homes.

While Dr. Anthony Fauci, of the White House Coronavirus Task Force, announced back in November that Santa Claus is immune to COVID-19, keeping children and crowds away from Santa is designed to keep people from spreading the virus to each other. However, the DDA recognizes that children may have very important messages for the “Jolly Old Elf,” and has established a drop box for letters in the lobby of Gladstone Professional Suites, located at 823 Delta Ave. Letters can be dropped off from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.

During the event on Dec. 18, guests will be able to drive by the 16 homes that are participating in this year’s house decorating contest, all of which registered by making a donation of nonperishable food items for local food pantries. In addition to being marked on the address lists distributed at the event, each property will also feature a yard sign that indicates it is participating in the contest.

The winners of the house decorating contest will be announced Monday, Dec. 21 on the Gladstone Old Fashioned Christmas Facebook page. The top six houses will receive prizes. First through third place will get cash prizes of $500, $300, and $200, respectively, and the fourth through sixth place winners will each receive gift certificates from Gladstone businesses.