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RANDOLPH - Just like decorating the tree and hanging the stockings by the chimney with care, Randolph residents have come to count the town’s Christmas celebration as an annual holiday tradition.
But this year, there’s a new Christmas event - the Showcase of Holdiay Trees.
This event is sponsored by Reaching Out Around Randolph (ROAR) and is set for 1-5 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 30, and 9 a .m. to noon, Sunday, Dec. 1.
Those who attend this event at the city auditorium are asked to vote for their top three favorite trees.
A holiday mainstay, this year’s Blast from the Past event is set for 5-7:30 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 7, at the city auditorium. The event is hosted each year by ROAR and features a variety of family friendly activities.
Santa will be arriving at the auditorium by fire truck and will literally take center stage.
Santa will be available to listen to children’s requests from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. About 150 children are expected to attend, said Sandy Owens, who helps to organize the ROAR event.
“It is always fun to see the kids excited to see Santa,” she said.
ROAR provides a goodie bag to each child after they visit Jolly Old St. Nick.
The Pancake Man of South Sioux City will be on hand to serve up fluffy flapjacks and sausage, juice, milk and coffee.
Vendors will be set up around the perimeter of the auditorium to help handle Christmas shopping locally, including The Randolph Times with a subscription special that night.
Around town, local stores will be open late to accommodate holiday shopping with specials, drawings and giveaways.
Owens said she expects a crowd of about 500 to take in this year’s Blast from the Past festivities.
“The Blast from the Past is a fun Randolph tradition that brings the community together,” she said. “The evening just seems to get everyone into the holiday spirit.”
Jeri Schmit| Randolph Times
