Oklahoma Americana duo The Imaginaries showcasing Chickasha holiday festivities with ‘Hometown Christmas’ music video

From Brandy McDonnell, The Oklahoman

Oklahoma husband-and-wife Americana duo The Imaginaries – Shane Henry (guitar, vocals) and Maggie McClure (keys, piano, vocals) – pay homage to Chickasha’s famed yuletide festivities with the music video for their original holiday song “Hometown Christmas.”

Directed by Reagan Elkins, the couple filmed the cheerful video in and around Chickasha while adhering to social distancing protocols, according to a news release. With a small cast and crew, the duo lensed the clip at local businesses as part of their partnership with the Chickasha Economic Development Council to celebrate the Chickasha Festival Of Light and to highlight all of the holiday happenings in Chickasha.

As previously reported, “Hometown Christmas” is the title track off The Imaginaries’ 2019 holiday album by the same name, a 13-track collection that mixes original tunes and some yuletide favorites. Listen to it HERE.

The Imaginaries [Photo provided]

“We’re so excited to showcase everything that Chickasha, OK, has to offer, especially during the holiday season, and to invite those outside the city to come experience the holiday magic for themselves” says McClure in a statement. “We’re very lucky to already be home in Oklahoma with our families and friends during the holidays and know this year has been a very difficult one and a lot of people can’t go home to be with their loved ones so we dedicate this song and video to them.”

On Saturday, The Imaginaries will participate in the annual Chickasha Christmas Parade down Main Street, which will showcase about 40 floats from businesses and community groups. The parade starts at 7 p.m. Saturday and will be followed by a special free outdoor performance by duo at 8 p.m. Click HERE for more information.

“I grew up in the area, so to help promote the city and related holiday activities during this magical time of year is very special to us” says Henry, who hails from the small nearby town of Verden.

Over the years, Chickasha has become renowned for its Christmas festivities, especially with the sparkling Chickasha Festival of Light. Named by Forbes Magazine and USA Today as one of the best light displays in the United States, the free Festival Of Light is open nightly through Dec. 31 and annually transforms Shannon Springs Park’s 43 acres into a magnificent walk- and drive-through lights display.

his year, Chickasha’s new downtown Christmas decoration is causing a social media sensation. In addition to strings of lights and a giant Christmas tree, the town this year has added a kick to the holidays with a 40-foot inflatable leg lamp. A giant version of the one made famous in the 1983 film “A Christmas Story,” the leg lamp is perched on a huge box labeled “fragile” on Chickasha Avenue. Learn more about the viral new attraction – including updates to when it is on display, which sometimes changes because of high winds – at www.facebook.com/VisitChickashaOk.

“We are thrilled with how the music video for ‘Hometown Christmas’ has turned out,” says Jim Cowan, the Chickasha Economic Development Council Director, in a statement.  “It certainly portrays the small town holiday homecoming we wanted it to. I’m excited for the world to see what we’re up to this holiday season in Chickasha, OK!”

The Imaginaries’ “Hometown Christmas” celebration will continue with a special one-night-only streaming concert “Home For The Holidays With The Imaginaries,” which they will perform at 8 p.m. Dec. 11 at Oklahoma City’s Tower Theatre. Proceeds from the streaming concert experience will benefit the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma. For more information and live-stream tickets, go to www.towertheatreokc.com.

-BAM