Kick Off the Holidays Downtown Saturday

Kick off the holiday season with your friends, neighbors and local merchants this Saturday, November 27!

The Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring a gala event for Customer Appreciation Day and Shop Small Saturday.

All kinds of events, refreshments, and contests will be held throughout the day-long event. Many of the merchants are holding specials and sales that day.

From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., there will be vendors set up at the Holden Inc. building (old F&C building downtown), plus, a vendor at the Holden Senior Center selling delicious cinnamon rolls.

At 10 a.m., in the downtown park, the Snowball Drop will be held for the kiddos. West Central Electric will be shooting the snowballs out of their bucket truck.

Those who collect the “snowballs” may redeem them at different area businesses for exciting gifts and prizes.

Also from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., the Bingo Scavenger Hunt will take place, sponsored by Homes by Darcy. Be sure and pick up your Bingo board at Homes by Darcy so you can play!

At 11 a.m., Blue Bird Real Estate is hosting the Gingerbread House Contest. Pre-register at Blue Bird Real Estate and get your gingerbread house kit. The contest will take place on Saturday. People will vote on their favorite entries and prizes will be awarded.

At 1 p.m., Central Bank will sponsor the new Elf Races in the downtown park. It will be an obstacle course of sorts and is for all ages.

Don’t forget to bring your favorite furry friend to join in the festivities! At 3 p.m., will be the Best Dressed Holiday Pet Contest, in the downtown park. This popular event is sponsored by Paws and Memaws.

Enjoy the Horse-Drawn Trolley, provided by the Chamber of Commerce. Take an enchanting ride and enjoy the Christmas lights in style, from 5 to 8 p.m., as the trolley travels from Holden Inc. to Heiman’s True Value.

Santa Claus will be at Holden Inc. from 6:30-8 p.m. for pictures with the children. Photos will be provided by Streicher’s Wildflower Photography.
When you venture down the street to Heimans, you will delight in seeing a Live Nativity Scene, provided by the Holden United Methodist Church.

Don’t miss the Nativity, the real reason for the season! You may see it from 6:30-7:30 p.m. at Heimans.

Holden VFW 5844 Auxiliary will be serving Christmas cookies and cocoa at the VFW Hall, from 5-8 p.m.

The Lighted Holiday Parade will begin at 6 p.m. and will leave from city hall. Take in the beauty of the lighted vehicles, floats, bicycles and UTVs against the backdrop of a dark November sky.

The parade heads south to 9th St. and then back toward downtown. There are some great parking spaces at several of the church parking lots to watch the parade from.

Country Creations is having an open house for Customer Appreciation Day. They will offer special sales, as will other merchants.

Check out their new food lines, sample some sauces, and at 2 p.m., take part in a wine tasting. Door prizes will also be given away throughout the day.
Shop your local merchants and see what specials they are running for the holiday kick-off!

Be sure and head downtown Saturday and take part in all of the festivities!
Merry Christmas Holden and Kingsville! Let’s shop local and brighten up the faces of our loved ones with special unique gifts!