Jingle bells rang out Sunday evening at Jefferson City’s Binder Lake.
It wasn’t Santa Claus, but the seventh annual Jingle Dash through the Capital City Festival of Lights at Binder Park.
Approximately 140 people, many dressed in holiday attire, strolled through the light displays at Binder Lake early Sunday evening to raise money for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Jefferson City. The most festive of the bunch won awards.
Guy Huntley, dressed as an elf, took first place.
Huntley ran the Jingle Dash with his son and his son’s girlfriend. It was a fresh course for the three avid runners but Huntley said it was “low-key” and designed for fun.
“I’m looking forward to seeing a lot of pretty lights,” he said before taking off.
“It’s great family time,” added Max Huntley, Guy’s son.
The Jingle Dash course traveled along the edge of Binder Lake for a mile before directing runners and walkers back to the start.
Jessica Kever, program director for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Jefferson City, said the event serves as an annual fundraiser for the nonprofit. It transitioned from a competitive 5K race to a self-paced walk in 2020.
Kever said she was happy with Sunday’s turnout.
“I think a lot of people wait to see what the weather’s going to look like, but luckily it’s really nice today,” she said. “I think it’s going to be a good event.”
Oswaldo Restrepo stretched before running the course with his father-in-law, Ken Wilmes. Wilmes, who took second place in the costume contest dressed as Santa, said he heard about the event late last week and asked Restrepo to join.
“We’re really the only two runners in the family,” Restrepo said with a laugh.
The pair have run at least four races benefiting area nonprofits this year, Wilmes said. Sunday was their first time running the Jingle Dash, however. Restrepo said he was looking forward to seeing Christmas lights along the trail.
“It’s such a great event for families to get together and have a good time around the holidays,” Wilmes added.
Sonya Kibbee walked the course dressed as a shepherd. She was surrounded by about a dozen others from Faith Lutheran Church dressed as figures in a nativity scene, complete with baby Jesus, wise men, a star, angels and a cow. The group took third in the costume contest.
While some in the group like to run, Kibbee said she participates to support a good cause while celebrating the season. Sunday was her third time around Binder Lake for the Jingle Dash.
“I don’t mind the ticket because it goes to such a good cause,” Kibbee said. “It’s just a lot of fun every year. The best part’s getting dressed up.”
All of the registration funds from the Jingle Dash go to support operations at Big Brothers Big Sisters, such as performing enrollment screenings and matching Littles and Bigs. Kever said the organization is always looking for more volunteers for its youth mentoring program, which requires about an hour per week.
“We need a lot in January because we get a lot of kiddos that come in and out of the district in January,” she said. “If anyone’s interested in volunteering, that’s what we need.”
Big Brothers Big Sisters has approximately 140 mentors now, she said.
Ryan Pivoney/News Tribune photo: Ken Wilmes accepts a trophy from Jessica Kever, program director for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Jefferson City, after coming in second place during the nonprofit’s Jingle Dash costume contest Sunday at Binder Lake.
Ryan Pivoney/News Tribune photo: Approximately 140 people participated Sunday in the seventh annual Jingle Dash through the Capital City Festival of Lights at Binder Park. The fun run and walk takes participants through the light show at Binder Lake and raises money to support Big Brothers Big Sisters of Jefferson City.
Ryan Pivoney/News Tribune photo: Ken Wilmes, left, and Oswaldo Restrepo, his son-in-law, lead the pack during Sunday’s Jingle Dash at Binder Lake. Approximately 140 participated in the annual fundraiser for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Jefferson City this year.