Adel’s Hometown Holiday Celebration, Holiday Home Tour return on Dec. 1-2
Adel’s Hometown Holiday Celebration will kick off with activities at the library on Friday afternoon. Mrs. Claus will be on hand from 1-3 p.m. with balloon art. Families can stop in for crafts and grab some cookies and cocoa.
Deb Bengtson, president of the Adel Partners Chamber of Commerce, said the celebration will move to the courthouse lawn. Scouts will start singing carols at 4:45 p.m. on the northeast corner of the square. The tree and wreaths will be lit around 5:10 p.m.
The tree lighting will help kick off the annual Sip and Sample event. Bengtson said over 31 businesses are participating in this year’s event, which runs from 5-7:30 p.m. Santa will be available for photos at Harvey’s Greenhouse, compliments of the Kiwanis.
“They can follow our map around the square and down Highway 169 and stop to sip and sample some of the favorite treats that people have prepared for them,” she added.
Some stops, like Raccoon Valley Bank and the Raccoon Valley Community House, feature multiple businesses. Santa will be available for photos at Harvey’s Greenhouse, compliments of the Kiwanis.
The festivities continue on Saturday morning with Adel Fire Department’s Pictures and Pancakes with Santa. A free-will breakfast will be served by Adel Scout Troop 152 from 8-11 a.m. at the fire station. Other activities include photos with Santa, arts and crafts and a look at the newest fire truck.
“We’re encouraging everyone to stay in Adel and do some of their holiday shopping after breakfast with Santa,” Bengtson said.
Area residents can also purchase tickets for the Adel Holiday Home Tour, hosted by This is Adel. Four unique homes will be featured from 1-3 p.m. on Saturday.
Julianna Cullen said the homes include a modern Craftsman, a ranch, a 1950s ranch and the Adel Historical Museum.
The homes also feature a variety of decorating styles, Cullen said, from Western to Victorian.
Tickets are $5 and can be purchased online and at Adel Health Mart, Azalea Lane and Harvey’s Greenhouse. Tickets will also be sold at the museum the day of the tour.
Cullen encourages the community to come out to view all of the homes included on this year’s tour.
“We’re just excited and hope that we have a good crowd, it’s a neat mix of homes this year,” she said.
“And after (the tour), we’re encouraging people to stay and eat, drink and be merry up on the square and finish their shopping,” Bengtson added.
The Festival of Trees will help wrap up the holiday weekend on Sunday at Adel First Christian Church. The trees will be available to view during the Sip and Sample event on Friday night. Soup will be served from 11 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. Sunday and fancy desserts will be served through 3 p.m. The Adel Historical Museum will be open from 1-3 p.m. for residents to tour and view their Christmas decorations.
“It gives everyone an opportunity to really spend the whole weekend in Adel,” Bengtson said. “It’s our way of just kicking off the holiday season and celebration and reminding people that you can always shop local.”
Look for more details, including a map of the Sip and Sample locations, on the Adel Partners Chamber of Commerce Facebook page.
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Adel’s Hometown Holiday Celebration, Holiday Home Tour return on Dec. 1-2
