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Annual Old-Fashioned Christmas in State Center
The holiday season is approaching, and with it comes State Center’s 16th Annual Old-fashioned Christmas on Main, set for Friday, December 4. The events kick off early, at 8:15 a.m., with “A Christmas Carol”, a one-man show by actor Duffy Hudson, in the High School Auditorium; admission is free.
The citywide celebration features holiday open houses at area businesses beginning at 1:00 p.m. There will be caroling along Main Street during the afternoon by WMHS singers. Chainsaw artist Pat Doyle will be performing his chainsaw magic throughout the afternoon and evening at the corner of East Main Street and 1st Avenue South. Nearby, a silent auction will run from 1:00 p.m. till 7:00 p.m. in Main Street Office Suites.
Down the street, the Annual West Marshall High School Holiday Art Show will be held in Jacobson Portrait Studio. Across the street, a life-sized Nativity scene will be nestled under the City’s stately Christmas tree between Garry’s Barber Shop and Central State Bank.
The evening’s activities kick off at 5:00 p.m. when a horse-drawn trolley drops Santa and Mrs. Claus off at historic Watson’s Grocery Store. There will be free horse-drawn trolley rides, with pick-up and drop-off on West Main throughout the evening. Musician John Schumacher will be playing guitar in Hometown Foods. To complete your holiday shopping, there will be Craft and Food Fairs from 1:00 to 7:00 p.m. in four convenient locations along Main Street: the first floor of City Hall, Mitchell Family Funeral Home, David Beary Enterprises, and Soleil Tanning & Fitness. The evening ends with a live auction at St. Andrew’s Grill & Bar.
Children in 6th grade and below are encouraged to visit Rosey Little Christmas Shoppe in the Elementary School Cafeteria from 5:00-7:00. Kids can shop for holiday gifts for family members and each item is $1. Following the sale at 7:00 there will be a family Christmas movie night showing Rudolf the Red-Nosed Reindeer and Frosty the Snowman. This event will be held in the Elementary School Gym and snacks will be provided.
For dinner, there will be two more choices in addition to two fine local restaurants. Members of First Presbyterian Church will be serving their annual spaghetti dinner in the Community Hall, with vocal performances by the Heart of Iowa Sweet Adelines and the Marshalltown Men’s Chorus; an elevator is available. At the Remarkable Rose Floral & Gifts, the State Center Development Association will be serving tasty soups and sandwiches. Afterwards, you can stop by for s’more-making along the street outside.
We hope you’ll come join us along the historic Lincoln Highway in downtown State Center on Friday, December 4, for an Old-fashioned Christmas on Main!
