Holiday Happenings: A list of fun for the holiday season

The holidays are here and Jasper County residents are in for a treat as a number of activities are planned to help usher in the season. Grab the coats and mittens, load up the station wagon and get ready to make holiday memories and enjoy long-time traditions with family and friends in Jasper County and Central Iowa.

That’s a beaut’ Clark! — Christmas and Holiday Light Displays

Jasper County Courthouse Lighting

The Jasper County Courthouse Lighting & Lighted Christmas Parade will usher in the holiday season Friday, Nov. 29. During the evening, people can enjoy Christmas carols, a visit from Santa and Christmas tree displays by local 4-H group. Also everyone can enjoy free horse and carriage rides sponsored by Edward Jones — Mark Allen, Brendan Lamont, Nate Milone, John O’Bannon, Travis Padget and Vicki Wade. Festivities will begin at 5 p.m. with the light display turned on at 6 p.m. the Newton Chamber of Commerce’s annual parade beginning immediately after. The 2019 theme is Celebration of Christmas Characters.”

Maytag Holiday Lights Display
presented by Clemon-Maki Insurance

Drive through the newest holiday tradition in Jasper County as the holiday lights display returns bigger and brighter in 2019 at the historic Maytag Park, 301 S. 11th Ave. E. The display is sponsored by Clemon-Maki Insurance and is a collaboration of City of Newton Parks Department and Friends of Newton Parks. Enjoy more than a dozen moving light displays and thousands of twinkle lights as they brighten up the Maytag Bowl, Maytag Pool and other areas of the park. A special grand opening ceremony will take place on Dec. 7, with gates opening at 6 p.m. for vehicles to see the lights and meet Santa. Volunteers will be collecting donation of new, unwrapped toys for St. Nick’s Christmas Club. The display, which is free thanks to generous businesses and individuals, will be open each day from dusk until park closing from until Jan. 1, 2020.

Jasper County Light Fight

Summon the inner Clark Griswold that lives deep inside and be part of the newly revamped Jasper County Light Fight. Entrants will be divided into Business/Church/Organizations and Residential categories and compete for prizes, a trophy and bragging rights. Registrations are due Dec. 4 and voting and the interactive light map are live on Dec. 6. First and second place winners will be named in the residential category, while first place honors will go to the winning Business/Organization/Church. For full details visit jaspercountylightfight.weebly.com.

A Season of Giving —
Philanthropic Opportunities

St. Nick’s Christmas Club & Salvation Army Christmas Assistance

Spread Christmas Cheer: Work on your best “Ho, Ho, Ho” and adopt a child in need this holiday season. Both the Salvation Army and St. Nick’s Christmas Club rely on donations of gifts and money to ensure families receive gifts and food during the holidays. To adopt a child from the St. Nick’s Adoption Book visit the Newton Daily News office, 200 First Ave. E. from 8 a.m to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. To assist the Salvation Army look for the Angel Trees at area banks and businesses, choose an ornament and buy those items.

Salvation Army Red Kettle Campaign

Give back this holiday season by helping those in need by taking a shift as a bell ringer for the Salvation Army in Newton. Funds raised during the Red Kettle Campaign help stock food bank shelves, provide warm winter clothing, Christmas assistance, housing and utilities assistance for thousands in Jasper County. To sign up as a bell ringer call the Salvation Army at 641-792-6131.

United Way Holiday Help Drive

United Way of Jasper County and US Cellular Authorized Agent — Premier Location are collecting hats, gloves, mittens and personal hygiene items (soap, shampoo, conditioner, toothpaste, laundry soap) to help out Jasper County citizens in need this holiday season. Items can be dropped off at the US Cellular store, 2617 First Ave. E. in Newton until Dec. 9.

Wrapping for A Cause

Love to shop and give gifts but not wanting to wrap the presents? Have no fear, Santa’s helpers will be hosting a Wrapping Party from noon to 5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 15, at Gezellig Brewing Co. For a donation to Jasper County Animal Rescue League, holiday gifts will be wrapped and tagged and ready for Christmas.

Checking the List Twice — Shopping

Black Friday & Shop Small Saturday

Support local and choose to shop at locally owned business in Jasper County. Shop Black Friday Nov. 29 and Shop Small Saturday on Nov. 30 in downtown Newton. The events are aimed at increasing business at independently owned stores in local communities. Be sure to visit retail stores from book stores to antique shops throughout Jasper. Many stores including downtown Newton retailers will have specials happening. To learn more visit Newton Main Street and Destination Downtown Newton’s Facebook pages.

A Homemade Holiday

Gezellig Brewing Company and The Cellar Peanut Pub are teaming up to bring the first A Homemade Holiday to Newton. The event will feature handmade crafts and goods from Central Iowa vendors, hourly brewery tours and food trucks on site. A Homemade Holiday will be from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 30, at DMACC Building 16 on Legacy Plaza in Newton. The event is free and open to the public.

Village Market

Enjoy a day of holiday shopping at the Village Market at Newton Village, 110 N. Fifth Ave. W., Nov. 30. Stop and shop at more than 20 vendors’ tables. Items for sale include baked goods, crafts, canned items, gift baskets, jewelry and more, alongside trusted brand names like Mary Kay, Norwex, Color Street Nail, Tupperware and Pampered Chef. The Village Market will be open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Admission is free.

Holiday Market

Get a jump on holiday shopping at a new event in Newton — Baqara Coliseum’s Holiday Market. Mark the calendar for Dec. 8 for the Holiday Market, which features more than 50 vendor booths. The event, located at 1615 First Ave. W., will be from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 8. Admission is free, and the first 25 shoppers will receive swag bags filled with coupons and samples.

Get Crafty — Hands on
Holiday Fun

Z Marie's Holiday Sugar
Cookie Workshop

Christmas means many things and one of the most delicious are Christmas cookies. Z Marie's Holiday Sugar Cookie Workshop is set for 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7, at Legacy Plaza in Newton. The annual Sugar Cookie Make & Take event offers a chance for families to make lasting holiday memories and yummy holiday treats. Registration is open through Nov. 30 by visiting facebook.com/zmariescasseroles.

Baqara Floral Lounge’s Sip & Create Workshop

Register for Baqara Floral Lounge’s first workshop just in time for Christmas. Participants will create a holiday centerpiece for themselves or to give as a special gift for a loved one during the Sip & Create Workshop. The workshop will have all the tools, instruction and supplies needed along with refreshments, snacks, music and giveaways. The workshop is from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 19. Registration and payment must be made by 6 p.m. Dec. 16. To register call 515-444-2384, ext. 3 or visit the Floral Lounge, 109 First Ave. W. in Newton.

Reindeer Games — Family Fun & Entertainment

DMACC’s Holiday Celebration

Join the staff and students at DMACC as they celebrate the holiday season with crafts, coloring, cookie decorating, hot cocoa and a visit from Santa. The fun will be from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 3, at DMACC’s Newton Campus, 600 N. Second Ave. W. Adults and children will not want to miss their chance to decorate a giant, life-sized Gingerbread House.

Newton Community Theatre’s “A Nice Family Christmas”

Don’t miss a chance to see the Newton Community Theatre’s production of “A Nice Family Christmas.” The NCT, located at 1701 S. Eighth Ave. E., carries on the tradition of a holiday themed production during the month of December. Come enjoy an evening of local talent as they share the story of a young newspaper reporter seeking to write a last chance story to save his job. The assignment: write about his family’s Christmas. One by one the audience will meet the reporter’s family members and learn their secrets, problems and dysfunctions. But when the family learns he’s writing an article with some very personal family information, the fruitcake hits the fan. Shows are scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Dec. 6, 7, 12, 13 and 14, and at 2 p.m. Dec. 8. For more information, visit newtontheatre.com.

Jingle For A Cure

MercyOne Newton Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation will be hosting the Jingle For A Cure — 5K Run/Walk & 1 Mile Fun Run/Walk Saturday, Dec. 7. Registration is $30 after Nov. 22. Proceeds support cancer services at Mercy One Newton Medical Center. Register today at getmeregistered.com/jingleforacure.

Newton Dollars for Scholars Tour of Homes

The annual Newton Dollars for Scholars Tour of Homes will dazzle and amaze again for 2019. The annual event is from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7. Tickets are $10 each and provide admission to area Newton homes with 100 percent of the proceeds supporting 2020 Newton High School scholarships. Purchase tickets at Advantage Credit Union, 121 W. Third St. N., or visit facebook.com/events/372185303662243/.

Newton YMCA Free Movie

The Newton YMCA is once again hosting a free family-friendly holiday movie at Newton’s historic and recently restored Capitol II Theatre. Children and children at heart can enjoy a free showing of “Polar Express” at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 14. Tickets will be available at Newton YMCA, 1701 S. Eighth Ave. E. and Capitol II, 116 First St. N.

Christmas Bingo

Grab the kids and get ready to play bingo at the annual Knights of Columbus Council 2663 Christmas Bingo. The popular event will be from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 14, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church McCann Center, 1115 S. Eighth Ave. E. and give participants the chance to win Christmas turkeys, hams and other great prizes during 20 rounds of bingo. All ages are welcome.

Here Comes Santa Claus — Area Santa Claus Visits

Friends of Newton Parks & Park
Centre's Breakfast With Santa

Santa and Mrs. Claus will be making a special breakfast time visit to Newton Saturday, Dec. 7 for the annual Friends of Newton Parks and Park Centre — A Wesleylife Community — Breakfast with Santa. The event, which is open to the public, will be from 8 to 10 a.m. at Park Centre, 500 First St. N. in Newton. Children of all ages and their families can enjoy a delicious breakfast, crafts, holiday music and meeting the most famous couple from the North Pole. The breakfast is a freewill donation with proceeds supporting the Maytag Park Holiday Light Display.

Hv-Vee presents Santa and his reindeer

Meet Santa, Mrs. Claus and their reindeer at Newton Hy-Vee Sunday, Dec. 8. Children of all ages can meet with Santa Claus from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. inside Hy-Vee, 1501 First Ave. E. At noon, Mrs. Claus and the reindeer will be making a special visit but fly out at 2 p.m. The event is free and open to all.

Hot Cocoa With Santa

A true believer in the magic of the holidays can never see Santa too many times. Meet Santa Claus and enjoy a glass of hot cocoa Saturday, Dec., 14, at Accura HealthCare of Newton East. Santa will be greeting visitors, taking photos and handing out an early gift to children who stop to say hello. The free event is open to all and will be from 9 to 11 a.m. at Accura HealthCare, 1743 S. Eighth Ave. E.

A Very Jasper County Christmas

Colfax Main Street — A Very Country Christmas

A Very County Christmas: Colfax Main Street will be hosting its annual Colfax County Christmas Saturday, Dec. 7. A variety of activities are planned from 4 to 8 p.m. including caroling, sleigh rides and a visit from Santa Claus. Enter the Ugly Sweater Contest at 7 p.m. at the Colfax Senior Citizen’s Center. First and second-place prizes for the ugliest sweater will awarded. Visit colfaxmainstreet.com for more information.

Prairie City’s WinterFEST

Prairie City Farmer’s Market and Prairie City Celebration committee members are hosting Winter Market and WinterFest Dec. 14. The event will feature a winter-time farmer’s market and other great activities. To learn more visit the Winter Market and WinterFest Facebook page.

Mingo’s Craft & Bake Sale and Pancake Breakfast

Join in as a small town rallies around as a local family fights cancer. The Craft & Bake Sale will be from 7 a.m. until noon Saturday, Dec. 14 at Mingo Community Center, 107 W. Mingo St. Pancakes will be served from 7 to 10 a.m. Shop for the holidays, get delicious treats and support the Udelhoven Family during the holidays.

UGLY Sweater Party

Take a break from the holiday rush and attend the Ugly Sweater Party Saturday, Dec. 14, at Greencastle Tavern in Mingo. Wear the ugly Christmas sweater with pride from 6 p.m. until close. The evening will feature music by Jordan Beem beginning at 8 p.m. Enjoy raffles and contests and the spirits of Christmas.