Dodge County communities kick-off Christmas season Saturday

There will be no question that the Christmas season has arrived as communities throughout Dodge County celebrate with community events this Saturday, Dec. 2. Events are scheduled for Kasson, Mantorville, Hayfield, West Concord and Dodge Center.
Christmasin Kasson
Christmas in Kasson gets under way at 10 a.m. and continues until 1 p.m.
The event is sponsored by the Kasson Chamber of Commerce and local businesses will have a variety of special events and activities for all ages.
A new feature this year will be free trolley rides to get patrons to all the events without having to park downtown. There will pickups every 15 to 20 minutes at six locations including Hy-Vee, Houston’s Greenhouse, ZVRC/Hidden Pines, Kratos/Simply Tidy/SEMCAC, Saker’s Sports Bar & Grill, and Chaotic Good Brewing Company.
Coming right before the official start of the day’s festivities, the annual Santa Parade, will start at 9:45 a.m. at K-M Telecom Stadium and proceeding down 8th Avenue NE to downtown, ending at the Colonial Clock Shop, where youngsters can have their picture taken with Santa until 1 p.m.
At Main Alternative at the Kasson Mini Mall there will be a photo opportunity with Elf on a Shelf and there will be live reindeer at the Kasson Liquor Store parking lot.
Businesses will be offering a variety of activities for the youngsters as well as specials for Christmas shoppers.
Olde Fashioned Christmasin Mantorville
Mantorville is planning a day-long celebration, beginning with a candlelight breakfast at the County Seat Coffee House and continuing through a performance of “A Hunting Shack Christmas” at the Opera House at 7:30 p.m.
There will be horse-drawn wagon rides from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. starting at the Opera House. Santa will also be at the Opera House those hours. And, of course, there will be the traditional Pickle Ornament Hunt from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
There will also be crafts for kids at the Mantorville Art Guild on Main Street from noon to 3 p.m.
Something new this year, will be the Christmas Grinch at the Greek Revival House from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Carla Webster, starring as Mrs. Santa, will be teaming up with the Grinch to give a complimentary gift to each attendee. You can also send a letter to Santa from there and it will be answered by Santa this season, Webster said.
A family lunch will be served at the Seniors Citizen’s Center on Clay Street from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and chocolate treats and more will be available at the Chocolate Shoppe.
There will be a Farmers Market at the Welcome Center and Restoration House Tours from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and a Christmas Toyland at the Greek Revival House and strolling carolers throughout the downtown area.
Hayfield Holiday Fest
The day gets started at 8 a.m. with the Field Crest Bazaar at the Senior Center until noon and the Trinity Lutheran Church Bazaar from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
A variety of activities will take place at the Fire Hall including Build a Bear (there will be a cost for this) and a Gaming Trailer, both from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Santa will be at the Fire Hall from noon to 3 p.m. During that time there will also be ornament and cookie decorating, and sleigh rides. There will be burgers and chili at the Fire Hall from noon until the food is gone and an After Prom raffle table from noon to 5 p.m.
From noon to 5 p.m. there will be a wine tasting/bake sale at Uncle Mony’s for Alzheimer’s and family bingo at the American Legion from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m.
The Lighted Parade begins at 6 p.m. followed by the Christmas Tree Lighting at 7 p.m.
The evening concludes with an Adult Ugly Sweater Contest at the American Legion at 10 p.m.
West Concord Community Christmas Celebration
The action starts at 7 a.m. in West Concord where there will be fresh homemade donuts at the American Legion until 11 a.m. The West Concord Fire Department will be collecting “Toys for Tots” at Centennial Park from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.
From 8 to 11 a.m. there will be Coffee & Cocoa with the Council, Festival of the Trees and a Cardinal Club Fundraiser for the Parks, all at the Bell Tower. From 8 to 11 a.m. Wescon Lanes will be serving breakfast.
Casey’s will have free coffee and door prize registration from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.; Boe Auto an open house with coffee and cookies from 9 a.m. to noon and at Dollar General there will be registration for door prizes and candy for kids from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.
The Lions Club will be giving vision checks at Heritage Bank from 9 to 11 a.m. Santa will also be at the bank and there will be a coloring contest and the Sharing Tree from 9 a.m. to noon. The library will have craft activities for children from 9 a.m. to noon and the West Concord Police Department will be at City Hall for “Cookies with the Cops.”
The West Concord Historical Society will have a craft fair from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. with lunch available from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. There will also be a silent auction at City Hall starting at 9 a.m. with bidding ending at 2:30 p.m. Stop by Gochnauer Dairy Farms from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. for Cookies with the Cows & Hot Beverages.”
The West Concord Liquor Store will have Bloody Mary’s from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Wescon lanes will have lunch specials and free bowling during the same hours.
The Festival of Trees resumes at 3 p.m. and a program will be held at the Bell Tower at 4 p.m. including the tree lighting, bell ringing, concert, and a live nativity.
West Concord’s EDA will be serving a free supper in the Bell Tower basement immediately following the program until 7 p.m.
The day concludes with a Festive Bar and Music by Main Stage Entertainment at the Municipal Liquor Store from 7 to 11 p.m.
Dodge Center
Dodge Center will be celebrating from 1 to 3 p.m. with a variety of activities at City Hall and the library.
City Hall will be the location for horse-drawn wagon rides, cookie decorating with the Girl Scouts, popcorn with MBT bank, activities for the kids from the Green Shack, and chances to win gift baskets and prizes. There will also be a chance to visit with Santa and get candy canes and also write letters to Santa. The Fire Department will have a fire truck at City Hall and also be collecting for Toys for Tots.
In addition, there will be ornament making at the Dodge Center Library.