Residents enjoy annual heritage center holiday celebration outdoors

Christmas wreaths and other holiday decorations adorned buildings in Humphrey Heritage Village Sunday.

Enid residents came out to enjoy the Christmas decorations and sip hot chocolate as they listened to festive music and made Christmas ornaments.

All amid a 65-degree day.

Last year, Cherokee Strip Regional Heritage Center had its annual holiday celebration in its offices at Oakwood Mall, said Aaron Preston, director of education for Cherokee Strip Regional Heritage Center.

This year, the center was able to have the event outdoors and in a historical setting.

“It gives (residents) a sense of history as well as the sights of the season,” Preston said.

The event — called “A Prairie Christmas in the Village” – was 2-4:30 p.m. Sunday. The celebration began with a performance by St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church Choir in Humphrey Heritage Village Church.

Preston was pleased with the concert.

“Everything so far has gone really well,” he said following the concert.

After the concert, children had the opportunity to make Christmas ornaments and decorations in the village schoolhouse.

Darrell Arita, 11, and Isbella Hocker, 2, made a Christmas decoration out of a stick-figure snowman.

Arita made the face of the snowman while Hocker decorated the body with black and orange marker.

“It’s my first time here,” Arita said as he finished decorating.

Desmond Arita, however, was looking forward to something else.

“We’re just here for the hot chocolate and cookies,” the 15-year-old remarked.

The event concluded with the lighting of the village Christmas tree.

Preston said he was happy with the way things went. For that, he credited the seasonably warm weather.

“I’ve been pretty pleased with the turnout,” he said. “I think this has been great weather for people to come out and do things.”