Holiday calendar filling up!
PROTECTED CONTENT
If you’re a current subscriber, log in below. If you would like to subscribe, please click the subscribe tab above.
Username and Password Help
Please enter your email and we will send your username and password to you.
Many county groups and organizations have announced planned for special holiday events.
Holiday Lights in the Park
Ringgold County Conservation and the Ringgold Conservation Foundation are holding their Holiday Lights in the Park event at Poe Hollow Park.
Dates for the event include November 29 and 30 and December: 6, 7, 13 and 14 from 5:30 to 9:00 p.m. each night.
The entry fee for this event is $5 per car for each drive through Poe Hollow Park, where visitors will marvel at the lighted displays in a winter wonderland.
The Dragoon Trace Nature Center will be open during the lighted park, so make sure to swing in for a visit and vote for your favorite displays.
There will be a vendor fair at the nature center on Saturday, December 7 and Santa and Mrs. Claus will be at the nature center on Saturday, December 14 during the lighted park hours.
Display sponsors include Cecil and Patti Dolecheck Families, Eighmy Monument, First Christian Church, Mount Ayr Hy-Vee, Mount Ayr Lions Club, Munyon Plumbing and Heating, Pioneer – Bishop Farms, Princess Theater, Ringgold Outdoor Alliance and United Farmers Coop.
Please call Ringgold County Conservation for any questions at 641-464-2787.
Ladies Night
Ladies Night in the Ayr will be held Thursday, December 5 from 4-8 p.m.
Local businesses will be open for shopping. These include Aunt Jennie’s Attic, Casey’s General Store, Country Blossoms, Daily Flair Boutique, Lefty’s Club Tavern, MODA 106 Salon/Backwoods Barbie Boutique, Rumors Bar and Grill, Still Smokin’ BBQ, Subway, Uniquely Radiant Boutique, and vendors at United Farmers Country Store.
A wine tasting sponsored by Hy-Vee will be held from 5-7 p.m. at The Clinic Salon and Spa.
The Women’s Relief Corps will hold a fundraiser and membership drive in the Senior Citizens Activity Center. Many Christmas items and baked goods, small trees, fruits, treats, wreaths and other gift items will be available.
The evening will conclude with a special showing of the movie “The Last Christmas” at the Princess Theater at 8 p.m. Cost of admission is $8. Popcorn will be furnished by South Central Iowa Realty.
The Mount Ayr Chamber of Commerce will be giving away $500 in gift certificates to local businesses. For each purchase at a Ladies’ Night participating vendor, customers will receive one ticket. Each ticket is an entry into the drawing to win one of twenty $20 gift cards. Tickets must be turned in to the Chamber Table inside the Ringgold County Senior Citizens Center no later than 8 p.m. Winners will be contacted the following day.
Christmas in the Ayr
The annual Christmas in the Ayr celebration will be held Saturday, December 7.
• The Princess Theater and Moonlighter’s Theater Group will present a production of “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever” on Saturday, December 7 and Sunday, December 8 at 2 p.m. in the Mount Ayr high school auditorium.
Tickets are $10 and available at the door.
• The local singing group Simply Voices will hold their annual Christmas concert entitled “What a Wonderful Savior” on Saturday, December 7 at 4 p.m. in the Mount Ayr United Methodist Church.
The performance will include a children’s choir and returning special guest performer Drew Ingram.
The Methodist Youth soup supper will follow at 5 p.m.
• The lighted Christmas parade will get underway at 6 p.m. Saturday, December 7 and follow its regular route around the square.
The traveling trophy for Best of Show will go to the best business/organization with $50 in Mount Ayr money given in the individuals/families and friends divisions.
• The lighting of the community Christmas tree at the old Skelly Station will follow the parade.
• The Mount Ayr Public Library will hold its holiday open house beginning at 5:30 p.m. Guests are welcome to watch the parade and community Christmas tree lighting from the warmth of the library.
Santa and Mrs. Claus will greet children in the courthouse lobby following the lighting of the tree.
Christmas music in the courthouse will be provided by Justin Akers.
Cookies and cocoa for a “Christmas Cause” will be served by the Leading Lions 4-H club.
Courthouse visitors are invited to view the Christmas trees and door decorations throughout the building.
Visitors will also be invited to donate to a canned food drive.
Several businesses will be open during the celebration. They include Aunt Jennie’s Attic, Country Blossoms, Daily Flair Boutique, Lucky Lanes, NAPA Auto Parts, Princess Theater, Still Smokin’ BBQ, and Uniquely Radiant Boutique.
Music throughout the evening will be furnished by Ringgold Outdoor Alliance.
Jingle Mingle
The Diagonal community is getting into the Christmas spirit with a Jingle Mingle Saturday, December 7.
Visitors are invited to stroll from business to business on Broadway Street tasting savory beverages, listening to Christmas caroling and explore the latest holiday merchandise offered by local businesses.
Special activities include a special kids’ time from 4:30-5:30 p.m. at the Community Center. The event will feature a hot chocolate bar, make and take crafts, pictures with the Grinch and a free gift to the first 50 kids.
Christmas crafts will be on display in the upper level of 209 Bradway from 5-6:30 p.m. Participants must register for this adults-only event via Facebook.
A “Whine Walk” will conclude the evening. Running from 6:30-8 p.m., the event will feature Broadway businesses and vendors in the basement of 209 Broadway offering wine and beverage samples for those 21 and over, Christmas shopping and selfies with the Grinch.
Advanced registration of $20 can be purchased at Blush Salon or Diagonal Building Products. Registration includes a custom wine glass.
Live Nativity
A live Nativity scene will be held at the Clearfield United Methodist Church on Sunday, December 8 from 5-6:30 p.m.
Visitors may walk through or drive through the scene.
A soup and dessert meal will be served for a free will offering.
A silent auction for baked goods and other items will also be held.
Toys for Tots
The annual Toys for Tots drive will run from November 27 through December 16. Boxes for donations of new or gently used toys are located at Community Grocers, Dollar General, Great Western Bank, Hy-Vee, Mount Ayr Record-News, PCSB Bank, and Ringgold County Senior Citizens Activity Center.
