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Chamber has big plans for annual Candlelight Christmas
HARTINGTON – It started out as an off-the-wall idea — an attempt to recapture some of that Norman Rockwell feeling.
When kicking around the idea for a winter-season Chamber of Commerce event, Cindy Howey noted she was hoping the Chamber could provide a 'warm and fuzzy' event.
'It should be an event that will bring folks to town and create great warm and fuzzy memories for current and former residents,' she said.
And that's exactly what has happened here ever since the first Candlelight Christmas and lighted vehicle parade took place on Thursday, Nov. 15, 2001.
Besides business open houses and a community chili feed, the 2001 event also featured 'Living Christmas Cards,' in downtown store windows, a bell concert at Trinity Lutheran Church, and Christmas carolers strolling through the downtown streets.
As the event evolved, the parade got bigger and better.
The food offerings also expanded.
This Friday people can get something to eat almost anywhere downtown as Broadway Lanes, the KC Hall, Trinity Lutheran Church and the Teens for Christ group will all offer tasty treats.
MaMona's on Highway 57 also has specials that evening.
While some of the events of that first season have gone out of fashion, one thing hasn't changed.
Candlelight Christmas is designed as a night of good, old-fashioned, family fun.
It all starts at 5:30 p.m., when Santa arrives for photos at the Senior Center. Just a block away, the Grinch will be available for photos at the City Office. The Trinity Lutheran Bell Choir will perform between 5:30-7 p.m. Open houses are also being planned at several Hartington businesses — including Bank of Hartington, Cobblestone Inn, COR Therepuetic, D&J Variety, Elsie's Sassy Brew, Fay's Furniture, First Chiropractic, Floral Designs, Hard Patch Brewery, Highstreet Insurance, Keith's Package Liquor, Knights of Columbus Insurance, Kruse Hardware, Hartelco, Reinvented Mercantile and Steffen Drug.
REPS is also planning an escape room adventure and Kruse Hardware will hold its annual Scavenger Hunt.
The HNS Student Council is also planning a Teen Dance at the school.
For more, check out page 14 of this week's Cedar County News to see a page of advertised specials.
Lighted
Vehicle
Parade begins at 7:30 p.m
