The Creston Chamber of Commerce has announced the calendar of events for the holidays, Dec. 5 through Dec. 23.
Thursday, Dec. 5
Holiday events will begin at 9 a.m. Dec. 5, with the annual Festival of Trees, held at American Home Design Center, 101 N. Walnut St. The event is held in support of local survivors of sexual abuse, assault and domestic violence. Patrons are asked to bid on trees, wreaths and other decorated items donated by local businesses and organizations during a silent auction which runs through Dec. 7. Proceeds directly help survivors within Union County. American Home Design Center will be open until after the lighted parade on Thursday.
Santa and Mrs. Claus will be stopping at the Depot from 5 - 7 p.m. While you are there, enjoy cider, hot chocolate and doughnut holes served by the Friends of the Library, and don’t forget to enjoy the Crossroads Soup Supper from 5 - 6:30 p.m. From 4:30 p.m. until close, the Model Railroaders will be working at the Depot and the Creston Arts Gallery will be open.
A Community Tree Lighting with entertainment by the Southwestern Community College singers will take place at 5:30 p.m. outside of the Restored Depot.
ASP will be serving funnel cakes at Iowa State Savings Bank in Uptown Creston from 5 to 8 p.m. and will host a Holiday Jazz Open House following the parade.
The annual lighted parade starts at 7 p.m. The theme is simply “Christmas time.” If you would like to be in the parade the guidelines are simple - you must have a lighted entry and candy must be handed out (not thrown) for everyone’s safety. No registration is required.
Friday, Dec. 6
The Festival of Trees continues from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at American Home Design Center.
“It’s a Wonderful Life - A live radio play” will be presented at 7 p.m. by the Crest Area Community Theatre at the SWCC Performing Arts Theatre.
Saturday, Dec. 7
The Festival of Trees wraps up at American Home Design on Saturday. The final hours run from 9-11:30 a.m. A quilt raffle will be held there at noon.
Merry Marketplace, an annual vendor fair in Uptown Creston will be from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. and is a shopping favorite. Both local and out-of-area vendors will be set up for all your gift giving needs. Circle C Carriages will be providing horse-drawn carriage rides in Uptown during the event from 10:30 a.m.to 12:30 p.m. Rides are one-way only starting on Maple Street and ending on Pine Street.
The Holly & Ivy Home Tour will be held for the second year from 4-6 p.m. Saturday. Advance tickets can be purchased at four Creston locations: Union County Development Association, Three Little Birds Marketplace, Family Shoe Store and Coens Furniture. A ticket will be required before entry to every home on the tour. Proceeds from ticket sales will benefit Uptown improvements.
Celebrate the holiday season with Spotlight at The Strand. An exhibition of student work from the Spotlight School of Dance will take place at 11 a.m. Talented young dancers will perform to music of “The Nutcracker” and other holiday classics. It’s a perfect opportunity to experience the magic of ballet and support local talent.
Tuba Christmas, an ensemble of tubas, baritones, euphoniums, sousaphones and other low brass playing Christmas favorites, will perform at 4:30 p.m. for the general public at the Southwestern Community College campus, room 220 of the Instructional Center. Admission will be a free will cash/check donation, a non-perishable food item or both. Food items will be donated to the local food bank.
Tuba Christmas is in honor and memory of one the world’s most famous tuba players, William “Bill” Bell, who was born in Creston on Christmas Day, 1902. Those wishing to participate should register at 1:30 p.m., with rehearsal to follow at 2 p.m. Participants will need to provide their own music or purchase music from a limited number of copies available at the event. Please bring a music stand if you have one and dress in festive attire.
Crest Area Theatre will present the second performance of “It’s a Wonderful Life - A live radio play,” at 7 p.m. at the Performing Arts Theatre on the SWCC campus.
Sunday, Dec. 8
The afternoon and final performance of Crest Area Theatre’s holiday show, “It’s a Wonderful Life - A live radio play,” will be held at 2 p.m. at the Performing Arts Theatre on the SWCC campus.
The Historic Village at McKinley Park will hold a Christmas open house from 5 to 7 p.m., where Santa and Mrs Claus will be stopping in. Enjoy cookies and cocoa in the Heritage Room of the Edaburn House and a firepit and popcorn by the print shop.
Saturday, Dec. 14
Creston Animal Rescue Effort (C.A.R.E.) will hold their annual bake sale from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. at the Restored Depot. Check the group out on Facebook for more updates.
Santa, who loves baked goods, heard about the bake sale and couldn’t pass up the opportunity to stop in. He will be at the Restored Depot from 9:30-11:30 a.m.
The Christmas Food Basket handout will be held from 9 a.m. until noon, or until the baskets are gone, at 301 N. Elm St. This will be a first come-first serve distribution.
Tuesday, Dec. 17
The Creston Chamber of Commerce will hold the Holiday Giveaway drawing at 10 a.m. at the chamber office. Watch for ticket numbers to be announced and claim your prize if you have a winning ticket.
Wednesday, Dec. 18
The Creston Chamber of Commerce will hold an open house from 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
Thursday, Dec. 19
Spotlight School of Dance will present “Holidazzle” at 6 p.m. at the Creston High School.
Friday, Dec. 20
The Friends of the Library bake sale will be from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. (or until sold out) at the Gibson Memorial Library.
Events are subject to change. For more information contact the Creston Chamber of Commerce at 641-782-7201.