For several years, El Reagan has been a successful athlete in softball and track at Montgomery County High School, earning a combined five all-Eastern Missouri Conference awards and three all-state awards, including a state championship in the pole vault in the spring of 2022.

Now, the MCHS senior and High Hill resident has found a new passion – playing the guitar. She started the hobby a year ago and has performed in many places in Montgomery County, including BelleEve Boutique on Dec. 8 at Hometown Christmas Friday Night in Montgomery City.

“My grandpa passed away in 2020 and this (the guitar) is kind of like my outlet for all of the things I’ve been going through,” Reagan said. “So I picked up the guitar. It always makes me feel better. When I’m stressed or have a bad day at school, I’ll come home and play.”

Hometown Christmas Friday Night was held for three hours, attracting many people to the business section of Montgomery City. It was the first time in years that Hometown Christmas was held on a Friday night at downtown Montgomery City.

“They’re all excited for Santa,” Reagan said.

Hometown Christmas was also held on Dec. 9-10. On the 9th, Santa Claus visited both the Chadwick Building and Montgomery County Fairgrounds Merchants Building. There was a lighted display at the Fairgrounds on all three days of Hometown Christmas.

Besides Reagan’s guitar solo, there was plenty of other entertainment around downtown Montgomery City on Hometown Christmas Friday Night. Santa Claus visited the children in front of Montgomery Hardware. Middletown sisters Spring Lynch and Tara Calton did a singing performance at the hardware store. Gingerbread houses were made at Sugar and Spice Laura’s Delights. A movie, “It’s A Wonderful Life,” was played at Rugged Root Coffee Shop. Faith Baptist Church was giving away free popcorn and cider. The Montgomery County Arts Council, which coordinated Hometown Christmas Friday Night, was open so visitors could see the Christmas village tablescapes that were made by area residents.

Among the other businesses that were open on Hometown Christmas Friday Night were the Montgomery County Historical Society, Fox and Fern Furnishings, New Montgomery Florist, Manni’s by Maddie and Central Barber Shop. There were also three food trucks available for patrons.

Reagan said she appreciated BelleEve Boutique inviting her to perform for a couple of hours.

“I really like it because it’s small,” she said. “I always liked smaller places because I can hear myself better. I really enjoy music in general. So when I get to hear myself sing, it’s kind of nice.”

Reagan had guitar performances at the Montgomery County Fair and Jonesburg Homecoming. She said she hopes to continue playing the guitar after she graduates from MCHS in May.

“I’m definitely going to do some small things,” she said. “Obviously, if I get the opportunity to do something big, I’ll take it because it’s been my dream since I was a little girl.”

Singing is nothing new for Lynch and Calton. The sisters have been singing since they were little girls.

“My mom had us singing the Judds on stage in many, many places whenever we didn’t know what we were doing,” said Calton, who was also playing the guitar.

Also, a homemade Christmas ornament made out of plywood was hung at the hardware store. Owner Jim Mills said it has been at the store since the 1960s.

“I started putting it up two years ago,” Mills said. “It’s kind of a fixture in the store.”

Hometown Christmas was sponsored by the Montgomery City Area Chamber of Commerce.