HAWARDEN—Hawarden is the place to be on Saturday, Dec. 2, as members of the Hawarden Chamber, the Hawarden Area Arts Council and the Hawarden Historical Society come together to present a magical day for All ages.
A big part of the magic will be the second Holiday Express train ride sponsored by the Arts Council. The Holiday Express will have four trips this year departing at 11am, 1pm, 3pm and 5pm on Saturday.
“Saturday in Hawarden will be a great start to the holiday season,” said Emma Bouza, a member of the Hawarden Area Arts Council. “Knowing that the Hawarden Holiday Express is creating so many Christmas memories for families is part of what makes this day special for me. I think the real magic of the day is seeing the sheer joy and excitement of the kids on the train It’s absolute magic to see their reactions to getting on the train, seeing Santa’s village and meeting Santa Claus.
Bouza and the rest of the arts council have been working hard to create Santa’s village and do all the things that will make the day special. This year, participants will board the train at Calliope Village. The village was decorated for the season by various Hawarden community members, organizations and businesses and lit up on Thanksgiving night. An added bonus to hosting the event with the Hawarden Historical Society in Calliope Village is that the buildings will be open and vendors will be inside selling holiday items throughout the day.
Vendors will be open Saturday from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm in Calliope Village. They will include cal shirt co., Lisa Millage selling blueberry jalapeño jelly, Showroom Sweets Fudge Shop, West Sioux High School FFA with Christmas chalk, West Sioux Partners in Education serving hot chocolate, Gravel Roads Designs, Small Towne Shop, Sew Peaceful, Hoegh Sourdough Co., Karen Kennedy Designs, TJ Jams and Jellies, a photo opportunity sponsored by Mario Ramos with Keller Williams Real Estate and jewelry by Rozy Dottie. To find more information about where each of these vendors will be located in Calliope Village, visit the Hawarden Area Arts Council Facebook page.
“I am very excited that this year we have created an event that offers a variety of activities at Calliope Village,” said Bouza. “Young and old alike should leave full of Christmas spirit after spending Saturday at Hawarden.”
Several Hawarden businesses will also have sales in their stores. Booth Pharmacy will be open from 8am to 1pm and is offering 25% off all gifts and 905 Arrangements will be open from 9am to 1pm and is offering 25% off the entire store, excl. include funeral items and gift cards. You can get a dozen free eggs at Sunshine Foods with a $10 purchase and a digital coupon and there will be several in-store specials. Hispana Grocery is offering 20 percent off chips and cookies and also has a free sample on Saturday. Plus, there are many more specials around town, so come shop and dine.
You can have breakfast with some of your favorite Christmas characters. Breakfast will be from 8:30 to 10:30 at Hawarden Pizza Ranch. Children under 12 eat free and receive two slices of breakfast pizza, a muffin, a mini cinnamon roll and juice. This event is courtesy of Pizza Ranch, Central Cafe, Route 10 Drive-In, Sunshine Foods and the Hawarden Chamber.
After breakfast, head to Sportsman’s Lanes, where kids will be treated to a free game of bowling courtesy of owners Karen and Brian Engleman and free popcorn sponsored by Waterman Backhoe. This addition to the magical day will be available from 10.30am to 12.30pm
While you wait for the final event of Hawarden’s holiday celebration, visit local businesses, dine at one of Hawarden’s many restaurants, and check out the newest lounge coming to Central Avenue. Alyssa Van Wyhe is hosting a preview from 5-6:30pm for her new Salon Style and Grace at 912 Central Ave. Stop by for hot chocolate, mulled cider, cookies and snacks.
The Hawarden Chamber will end the day at 6:30 pm with a tree lighting at the south end of Central Avenue to kick off this year’s Holiday Parade of Lights. All are welcome and we encourage you to enter a float until the moment it starts with more is better. Contact Chamber Director Julie Coyle to let her know you plan to participate at chamber@cityofhawarden.com.
“The magic of Hawarden is our community spirit and it will be bubbling on Saturday,” Coyle said. “Many businesses and individuals volunteer their day to give back to the community. When you stroll through vendors, attend events, ride the train, or enjoy the holiday parade, remember that none of these things are possible without the volunteers back to the community.”
Festival calendar Saturday 2 December:
- 8:30-10:30: Christmas Breakfast at Hawarden Pizza Ranch
- 10am-5pm: Hawarden Holiday Express at Calliope Village in Hawarden with a vendor fair, Toys for Tots drop off and live music from Link West
- 10:30am-12:30pm: Sportsmans Lanes for a free game of bowling and get free pop courtesy of Waterman Backhoe
- 11:00-16:00: Hawarden Historical Society Open House and coffee, cider and cookies service
- 17.00-18.30 h Cutting-edge event of the salon of style and grace
- 6.30 pm Christmas lights parade
