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Painting the town red.....( and green and gold and .........
Chamber, local businesses prepare for Candlelight Christmas
HARTINGTON — Organizers are making big plans for the annual Candlelight Christmas event.
The Hartington City Council last month granted the Chamber of Commerce approval to hold a parade Nov. 21 which will cross Highway 84 and then head north up Broadway Avenue.
In early October, the Council granted Angie Peitz permission to paint some artwork on the streets for the event.
The theme at this year's event is 'Candyland.' Peitz said a theme like that just naturally brings several colorful ideas to mind. Peitz and her work crew hit the streets Sunday afternoon to paint a colorful replica of the Candyland board game on Broadway street in Hartington's main business district.
Peitz said a theme like Candyland just begged for the accompanying artwork.
City crews have already put the Christmas decorations up around town. Large plywood signs have also been put up throughout downtown. The Chamber is still looking for volunteers to help decorate the courthouse tree Wednesday at 1 p.m.
This year's Candlelight Christmas event will once again feature business open houses, a visit from Santa, a lighted vehicle parade and several food choices. It all starts at 5 p.m.
The Bank of Hartington will also hold a special Christmas Open House and Customer Appreciation Day from 5:30-8 p.m. at the Globe Event Center.
Santa Claus will once again visit with area children at the Senior Center. He is scheduled to arrive at 5:30 p.m. and plans to stay until 7 p.m. Hot cocoa and cookies will also be available at the Senior Center.
Food options will include Mama Mech and Papa Dean's food truck, as well as Conrad's Kettle Korn truck. The KC Hall and Trinity Lutheran will also hold soup suppers and Broadway Lanes and MaMona's both have food specials that night.
Open houses are also planned at: Ace Hardware, Bank of Hartington, Cedar Title and Escrow, D&J Variety, Etched Impressions, Fay's Furniture, First Chiropractic, Floral Designs, Hard Patch Brewery, Hartelco, Hartington Public Library, Reinvented Mercantile and Textures.
A special candy walk with prizes is also planned.
This year's lighted vehicle parade will once again begin at 7:30 p.m.
The parade participants will be staged at the schools and will then travel down Broadway Street. The route then goes past the Hard Patch Brewery, turning left just past RaDec Construction. It then briefly goes down Summit Avenue before disbanding.
The HNS Student Council will also hold a student dance for 7-12 graders from 8-10 p.m.
Several contests are also being planned in conjunction with this year's event.
New this year is an 'Anything but snow, build your own snowman' contest. Participants can construct their unique snowman at a residence or at a business. All entrants must register with the City Office or with economic development coordinator Miranda Becker at (402)254-6357.
The Chamber also sponsored a Baking Contest, which was held Tuesday.
