Washington stocks up on holiday events

Wellman Vendor Fair Nov. 23

The Wellman Vendor Fair this year is planned from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Nov. 23 at the Wellman Parkside Activities Center, and offers a great place to get ahead of your holiday shopping list while supporting local businesses and creators.

Free Dinner at Cornerstone Church Nov. 24

Cornerstone Church in Washington will offer a free meal celebrating Thanksgiving on Sunday, Nov. 24, following Sunday Worship which starts at 10:35 a.m. at 322 South D Avenue.

Free Community Lunch in Brighton Nov. 28

Tommy’s Helping Hands and Junkyard Dogs invite you to a free traditional Thanksgiving dinner at Brighton City Hall (100 East Washtingon Street in Brighton.) Meals are takeout only, and reservations can be made by contacting Tommyshelpinghands1@gmail.com

Free will donations are appreciated.

Wonderland Holidays in Washington Nov. 30

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Breakfast with Santa: 8-10 a.m. at UP Church, 209 East Main Street.

Enjoy a delicious pancake breakfast prepared by the Washington Lions Club. Bring your camera to capture precious moments with Santa and Mrs. Claus as they listen to Christmas music & make a holiday craft! Tickets are $7 for adults, $3 for children 3 and up.

Jingle Bell Fun Run: registration opens 8 a.m., race starts 9 a.m.

Join Main Street Washington for a festive fun run through downtown! Bring your family and friends (with two legs OR four) and wear your best festive costumes! There’s a prize giveaway party afterward at JP’s 207, the front of which is also the starting line for the race.

Preregistration deadline is Nov. 25. For more information, visit https://washingtoniowa.gov/event/jingle-bell-5k-fun-run-2/

Reason for the Season Variety Show: 1 p.m.

A variety show featuring dancing, singing and Santa will take place at the Washington High School Auditorium. Tickets are $10, with proceeds donated to HACAP.

Live Radio Play: 5 p.m.

Tune into KCII or join the crowd in front of the Washington Public Library for this live event, which will tell the story of a young girl who wanders the town square with her little brother.

Lighting Ceremony and parade: 6 p.m.

Join Main Street Washington at the Bandstand for the Annual Lights of Love Memory Trees ceremony. Following the ceremony, at approximately, 6:30 p.m., the 29th Annual Lighted Holiday Parade kicks off and circles downtown. Horse-drawn carriage rides are also back this year, at Mama Llama’s sale barn.

Christmas in Kalona Dec. 7

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Kalona will again be filled with holiday cheer on the first Saturday of December.

Downtown Kalona schedule:

9 a.m. to 2 p.m. — Music and campfires along the sidewalks, hot cider at Best of Iowa, cocoa at Kalona Chocolates. Also a live Nativity and photo stop at Kalona Library

1 p.m. — Movie at the Library

3:30-5:30 p.m. — Poured Painting at Kalona Brewing Co

5 p.m. — Lighted Golf Cart Parade

Kalona YMCA

9 a.m.-2 p.m. — Kalona Christmas Market

10 a.m. to 1 p.m. — Kids’ Activities — face painting, cookie decorating, ornament making, photos with Santa

Kalona Historical Village

4-7 p.m. | Christmas tree Walk

5:30 p.m. | Sled Winners, Caroling, Warm Drinks & Treats

Brighton Tree Lighting and Cookies with Santa Dec. 7

Join the Brighton Chamber of Commerce and Tommy’s Helping Hands in the city’s central park at 5 p.m. for the annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony. And stick around until 7 p.m. for cookies with Santa at Brighton City Hall. Donations are welcome.

Christmas Bazaar at Washington Y

This community event allows children up to age 12 to come and purchase up to 10 gifts for their family and friends. items are priced $0.50-$5.00. Santa’s elves will be available to take the children shopping while parents relax with coffee and snacks. Items will be gift-wrapped on-site and ready to take home and put under the tree!

To register, call 319-653-2141. To ask questions or become a sponsor, contact Marketing@WashingtonY.org

Candlelight Tour of Homes, Dec. 7, 8

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Get ready for a magical evening of festive cheer! This year’s Chamber of Commerce-run tour features seven beautifully decorated homes and two business features showcasing unique and inspiring ways to celebrate the holiday season. Tickets are $12 for presale, and $15 at the door. All proceeds support the annual Holiday Light Fundraiser.

Home locations this year include 620 East Polk Street, 623 East Tyler Street, 804 South Iowa Avenue, 17 Cedar Drive, 16 Locust Lane, and 1205 East Washington Street.

Business locations include UP Home and Purposefully You. Tickets for the event can be found through the Washington Chamber’s newsletter.

Live Animal Christmas Show Dec. 10-15

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Marion Avenue Baptist Church will present its Live Animal Christmas Show Dec. 10-15

For more information on each show time, and to register for attendance, visit Marionavenuebaptist.com

Nutcracker Ballet at Washington Community Theater Dec. 13, 14

Elizabeth’s Academy of Classical Ballet presents the Nutcracker! Come to the Washington Community Theater for two free performances of The Nutcracker with a free dessert reception to follow.

The Dec. 13 performance starts at 6:30 p.m., the Dec. 14 show begins at 1 p.m.

Holiday Meal Kit Giveaway Dec. 14

Washington For Justice and Latinos for Washington will give out free holiday meal kits at Mills Seed Co. in Washington (212 North Iowa Avenue) starting at 11 a.m., while supplies last. Organizers said traditional and Latino options were available.

The organizations are accepting donations to gather the food, with $50 covering the cost of one kit given to a family in the community. Those interested in donating can do so via Venmo and PayPal (@WashingtonForJustice) or by mailing a check to Washington For Justice, P.O. Box 695, Washington, Iowa 52353.

Christmas Dinner in Brighton Dec. 21

Tommy’s Helping Hands and Junkyard Dogs invite you to a free traditional Christmas dinner Dec. 21 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the corner west of Brighton City Hall.

Meals are available for takeout only. Donations are appreciated. Reservations can be made at tommyshelpinghands1@gmail.com