Volunteers, carolers, decorated Christmas trees needed for Christmas in Kalona Dec. 4

By Ron Slechta
Posted 11/22/21

A variety of activities for Christmas in Kalona are in need of volunteers, carolers and businesses or individuals to decorate Christmas trees for the celebration on Dec. 4.

“It’s way …

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Volunteers, carolers, decorated Christmas trees needed for Christmas in Kalona Dec. 4

Posted

A variety of activities for Christmas in Kalona are in need of volunteers, carolers and businesses or individuals to decorate Christmas trees for the celebration on Dec. 4.

“It’s way at the beginning of December so it’s a really good introduction or kickoff to the holiday season, it really gets you prepped and ready for what’s coming the rest of the month,” said Olivia Kahler, chairperson of the Christmas in Kalona committee and Director of Youth Services at the Kalona Public Library. “It’s great to have the camaraderie and the community come back and all be together to celebrate again, especially this time of year. It’s such a joyous occasion not only to be back in person, but to be part of the holiday season.”

The daylong event will be conclude at the Kalona Historical Village by bringing back the popular Christmas Tree Walk on the grounds of the Village Visitors Center.

Businesses , families, individuals, churches and other groups are invited to decorate trees up until the go on display at the Village from 4 to 7 p.m. Dec. 4.

“We already have 11 signups to decorate Trees at the Village,” said Chamber director Tonia Poole.  Signups are taken at the Chamber office at 514 B Avenue. For additional information contact either Poole at Krista Hershberger at the Chamber 656-2660 or Historical Village Manager Nancy Roth at 656-3232.

“Previously, about 10 years back or more, we did a Christmas tree walk inside the Kalona rec center, before it was the YMCA. Businesses in the area would sponsor a Christmas tree and decorate it themselves and you could walk through and see 50 to 100 Christmas trees,” said Krista Hershberger, assistant director of the Kalona Area Chamber of Commerce. “We wanted to bring that back, but this time it will be outdoors and we can tie in the Historical Village.”

While touring the Christmas Tree Walk at the Village, you will also be treated to caroling by carolers from Hillcrest Academy and other groups.

You can also enjoy smores at the firepits that will be downtown in the morning will be moved to the village.

The Historical Village’s traditional Christmas lights that outline various buildings on the grounds will also be turned on at 4 p.m., according to Roth.

If you haven’t hear Mike Zahs speak about his feed sack  quilt display yet, you can hear his presentation  or ask him about the display  from 11 a.m. to 7 pm.  The display will be coming down in February.

There will also be warm drinks and cookies inside the Visitors Center and the Village Gift Shop will be offering some specials.

Christmas in Kalona events downtown include some 30 vendors at the Christmas Market at the Kalona YMCA gym from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. 

The Kalona Chamber will be serving hot apple cider at the Chamber office from 9 a.m. to 1p.m.  The Kalona Walking Christmas stockings for children will be handled out at the Chamber from 10 a.m. .to 4 p.m. and at the YMCA from 9 a.m. to 1 pm. ‘

The stockings will also be handed out at the Kalona Historical Village uintil 7 p.m.

Volunteers are needed to hand out the stockings at the YMCA and to serve cider and hand out stockings to the kids at the Chamber office.  Contact the Chamber office to volunteer.

“We’re excited to bring back some of the things that have been really popular in the past and the walking stockings is one of those things,” Hershberger said. “Basically, kids can pick up a free stocking either here at the Chamber or at the YMCA and then they visit the downtown businesses and they each will have a free little goodie for them to put in their stocking. It’s a really fun way to explore the downtown businesses and check out their Christmas specials. The kids love it as well.”

Santa will arrive on one of the Kalona Volunteer Fire Dept. trucks in Kalona at 10 a.m.  and will be at the YMCA.

At the same time as the Christmas market, there will be activities for kids, including face painting done by high schoolers from Pathway Christian School, a craft or take-home craft from CBI Bank, an ornament making station from Hills Bank and more.

Poole also announced the at Chamber will be selling special Chamber Christmas ornaments.