Henry County hosts holiday events

Old Threshers Reunion kicked off the Festival of Lights holiday season with a Fun Run/Walk Nov. 19 and 20.

The Festival of Lights Drive-Thru season will continue to run 5:30-9 p.m. daily through Dec. 31.

The Midwest Old Threshers Campground is filled with a 1.6 mile route of lighting displays containing images of gingerbread men, tractors, candy canes, and even Santa.

As visitors take in the scenes, they are encouraged to drive slowly and discouraged from stopping or getting out of vehicles.

For the opportunity to create magical memories driving through this route, family vehicles will pay $10, limousines pay $25, mini coaches with 30 people or less pay $30, and motor coaches holding up to 60 people pay $60.

Included with admission to the Festival of Lights, visitors are invited to meet Santa on select nights 5:30-9 p.m.

Santa looks forward to hearing holiday wishes and snapping photos with visitors at the end of the route Nov. 25-27 and Dec. 2-4, 9-11 a.m., 16-23 evenings.

North Pole Express—Midwest Central Railroad

Midwest Old Threshers Reunion grounds hold not only the Festival of Lights, but also the North Pole Express.

Christmas tradition continues at the Midwest Central Railroad as they once again open their train cars for the North Pole Express.

Through the magic of the season, all those aboard Santa’s North Pole Express will find themselves transported to the North Pole where they are greeted by Santa and Mrs. Claus, the Magical Snow Princess, and the rest of Santa’s elves.

The North Pole hosts activities like the Christmas Craft Room, Santa’s toy trains, Mrs. Claus’s Cookie Coco Factory and more.

Reservations are required, though some tickets are made available the day of the event if the train is not sold out.

There is no guarantee that tickets will be available for purchase at train time. If tickets are available they are sold on a first come first serve bases.

Reservation tickets went on sale Nov. 1 through Brown Paper Tickets. Current reservations may be made through the same company online or by calling 1-800-838-3006.

The cost for anyone over the age of 18 months is $25.00 per ticket.

All North Pole Express ticket sales are final. The trains will operate no matter the weather, and riders should dress appropriately as the coaches are not heated.

Arrive approximately 20 minutes before your ticketed time to pick up your official tickets at the North Depot and receive your coach assignments for the train.

The event itself lasts approximately two hours once the train departs Hillsboro Depot.

The North Pole Express will run Dec. 3-4, 10-11, 17-18.

Saturday departures are 10 a.m., 12, 2, 4, and 6 p.m.

Sunday departures are 11 a.m., 1, 3, and 5 p.m.

Holiday on Main

Dec. 1, Mt. Pleasant Area Chamber of Commerce and Main Street Mt. Pleasant will partner with each other to create the Holiday on Main Event.

The Chamber organizes and executes the Lighted Parade, and Main Street oversees Christmas in Pleasantville.

Lighted Parade—Chamber of Commerce

Dec. 1, at 5:15, Holiday on Main begins with the Lighted Parade Emceed by Mark Hempen.

Every year, businesses enter themed floats for the annual Mt. Pleasant Holiday Parade.

This year, businesses will decorate their floats in the theme of Christmas Movies.

According to Chamber of Commerce Director of Membership Delaney Van Ness, “We encourage floats to be lighted so that folks can see them well after dark."

A secret judges that will award prizes to the best floats.

Whether a business has participated many years, or this is their first, the Chamber of Commerce welcomes entries from all over Mt. Pleasant.

Anyone desiring to participate in this tradition can contact the Chamber office for an application.

The honor of Grand Marshal was bestowed on Jim and Marlene DePriest, music directors for Mt. Pleasant High School.

Parade lineup begins at the Methodist church.

Floats will circle the block up to the square, then travel back to the church.

Following the parade, downtown businesses will be open, there will be all kinds of fun activities on the square for the whole family including Santa at 7:30 p.m.

Christmas in Pleasantville—Main Street

Christmas in Pleasantville will follow the Holiday Parade.

According to Mt. Pleasant Main Street Director Lisa Oetken, the event will have many activities and treats to celebrate the beginning of the holiday season.

Holiday traditions such as carriage rides, fire roasted chestnuts, caroling, and cookie decorating will fill downtown Mt. Pleasant

Visitors to Main Street’s Pleasantville will have the opportunity to take photos in the Grinch’s Lair and hear stories from Mrs. Claus.

Additionally, this event will have make and take stations, a s’mores station, and many other festive holiday activities.

New London Holiday Stroll

New London’s traditional Holiday Stroll returns like clockwork to the second Saturday in December.

The town will come to life Dec. 10 as a wide variety of activities usher in the holiday spirit.

Food can be found throughout New London from vendors, community hall, and Dover Museum.

Tasty snacks, yummy treats and delightful beverages will abound in various shops throughout the stroll.

Businesses commonly host sales during the stroll, and children’s crafts and activities will be hosted at the library and fire station.

As always, Santa will make his way to town in a unique style as this little town celebrates the holidays in a big way.

Let your Littles Shop

Dec. 3 from 12-5 p.m. kindergarten through sixth grade children are invited to shop for Christmas gifts at New London Clark Elementary School gym.

Donations from local businesses and individuals will fill the gym for littles to find something special for their special someone.

Shoppers are allowed to spend up to $20 on the gifts which will range from 25 cents to $5.

Upon arrival, elves will greet children and their adults. They will help the children fill out how much money they plan to spend and who is on their shopping list.

Then, the elves will assist the little shoppers as they explore.

Once they’ve finished shopping, the elves will help the children wrap the gift to take home.

While the littles shop, parents and guardians are invited to enjoy free hot cocoa and purchase items from the bake sale.

All proceeds from the Littles Christmas Shopping Event & Holiday Bake Sale will go toward the Holiday Stroll Committee’s Needy Family.

There still is time left to help with this event.

Donate baked goods or holiday gifts by Dec. 2 at Lorber Insurance or Short Stop.

Volunteer to help shoppers during a 10 a.m.-5 p.m. shift.

For more information contact Chelsea Boecker by phone at (319) 931-6962 or email at ajlorberins@outlook.com

Iowa Wesleyan Holiday Events

Iowa Wesleyan University will host two musical events to celebrate the holidays on campus.

Lessons & Carols Concerts

Saturday and Sunday Dec. 3 and 4, Iowa Wesleyan University will host Lessons & Carols Concerts at 7 p.m.

The event will feature The Mt. Pleasant Chorale, The IW Choir, Primae Voces, South East Iowa Symphony Orchestra Chamber Orchestra and more at the IW Chapel.

All freewill donations will support students in the IW Music Program.

Hollydaze Concert

Dec. 10 at 3 p.m. in the IW Chapel, South East Iowa Symphony Orchestra will ring in the holiday season with a free holiday extravaganza.

Live music featuring chorus, orchestra, and even audience participation will create joyful memories throughout this family event.

SEISO invites music lovers to “make memories with your family that last a lifetime at Hollydaze this year!”

Annual Christmas Market

Dec. 3, Mt. Pleasant Christian School hosts their annual Christmas Market.

The community is invited to get a jumpstart on Christmas Shopping Dec. 3 from 8:30 a.m.-2 p.m. at Mt. Pleasant Christian School’s annual Christmas Market.

The Annual Christmas Market includes a bake sale, breakfast and lunch concessions, door prizes and vendors with memorable gifts and unique crafts.

For more information about the Christmas Market call (319) 385-8613

Comments: AnnaMarie.Ward@southeastiowaunion.com