Happenings in and around Perry
Letters to Santa
Lynn Hulgan State Farm, Perry.
Lynn Hulgan State Farm has a magical Santa mailbox in its office at 1316 2nd St. Ste. B, Perry. Bring your letters and lists so Santa’s elves can pick them up. The office is open until 5 p.m., but don’t worry if you can’t get there during business hours - drop your letters in the mail slot and they will be put into the box the next morning. Make sure your name and address are clear - Santa needs to know who sent it. Papers and envelops will also be provided if needed.
Las Posadas
6:30-8:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 16 starting at St. Patrick's Church, Perry.
Hispanics United for Perry (HUP) will hold its annual Las Posadas Celebration on Friday, December 16 from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Las Posadas is a traditional Hispanic Christmas celebration that reenacts joseph and Mary’s search to find a room at the inn for the baby Jesus to be born. The celebration will begin with an ecumenical service at St. Patrick’s Church. After the ceremony, there will be a procession and caroling down 2nd Street. A dinner of pork birria, rice and beans will be served starting at 7:30 p.m. at the First United Method Church. A free-will offering will be collected to support HUP scholarships for graduating high school seniors.
Woodward Lions Club Breakfast
8 a.m. - 12 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 17 at Woodward Social Center.
The Woodward Lions Club will serve a breakfast from 8 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Dec. 17. The menu includes French toast, sausage patty, scrambled eggs and drinks. A free-will offering will be taken with funds being used for community service projects and scholarships.
Breakfast with Santa
10 a.m. - 12 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 17 at Perry Hy-Vee.
Perry Hy-Vee will host a Breakfast with Santa event from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Saturday, Dece. 17. Kids eat free all day with a purchase of an adult entrée. Don't forget to bring your camera for free photos with Santa.
Fall Market #3
10:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 17 at Perry Public Library Community Room.
The fall season of the Perry Farmers Market continues and just in time to stock up before Christmas! The final fall market will be held from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 17. These markets will be limited to 5-8 vendors per market but are expected to have a wide variety of offerings, including seasonal produce, jams and jellies, fresh baked goods and handcrafted items. Watch for a list of the December market vendors on the Perry Farmers' Market Facebook page.
Free Grapes from the Healthy Steps Outreach Program
10:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 17 at Perry Public Library Community Room.
On Dec. 17, the Perry Farmers Market will offer a selection of local goods at The Perry Public Library. The Healthy Steps Outreach program will join them by giving away delicious one-pound bags of red grapes to attendees. Healthy Steps is a partnership between the Perry Public Library, Tyson Foods, The Perry Chamber of Commerce and Farm Credit Services of America. Their goal is to offer delicious, healthy produce from local vendors as part of their food outreach program. Community members are invited to attend the farmers market from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Dec. 17 to receive one pound of free red grapes. For questions, please contact the library at 515-465-3569.
Wreaths Across America
11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 17 at Iowa Veterans Cemetery.
Wreaths Across America will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 17 at the Iowa Veterans Cemetery. Please come early to ensure you have a parking spot.
Free Christmas Movies
11 a.m. Dec. 17-18 at Perry Grand 3 Theatres.
Free Christmas movies are back at Perry Grand 3 Theatres. The free movies, sponsored by local businesses, will be shows at 11 a.m. on Saturdays and Sundays throughout December. The next movie shown will be "Last Christmas" on Dec. 17-18.
Meet Santa at The Lazy Goose
12-2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 17 at The Lazy Goose, 1014 2nd St., Perry.
This event is for the whole family! Bring your best smile and get your picture taken with Santa, while enjoying a delicious Boba tea.
The Peace & Joy of Christmas
6:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 17 at Crossroads Church, 2810 1st St., Perry.
Crossroads Church will present a Christmas play about finding the peace and joy of Christmas amidst pain and sorrow on Saturday, Dec. 17. Free admission.
Winter Solstice Celebration
7-8 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 21 at Hanging Rock, Redfield.
Join Dallas County Conservation Board at the astronomical clock to observe and celebrate the winter solstice sunrise. On the shortest day of the year, DCCB will celebrate the fact that the sun will now end its journey south, and begin its march north, towards longer days and spring renewal. Join DCCB to mark this date not with a wall calendar, but with a fire and a sunrise to celebrate the changes. Register to be notified of weather cancelation through the DCCB's Eventbrite page.
Annual Christmas dinner
11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 25 at Perry Elks Lodge, 2823 Willis Ave.
The annual Christmas dinner will be held from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 25 at the Perry Elks Lodge, 2823 Willis Ave. While attendees can enjoy a free in-person meal, there are also carryout and delivery options. Those looking for deliveries can call the Elks Lodge at 515-465-3791 starting around 9:30 a.m. on Dec. 25.
Winter Break Drop-In Children’s Crafts
1-2 p.m. Dec. 27-29 at Perry Public Library Community Room.
Looking for a fun winter break activity? Stop in at the Perry Public Library anytime between 1-2 pm on Tuesday, Dec. 27, Wednesday, Dec. 28, or Thursday Dec. 29 for a quick children’s craft! We’ll have a variety of small crafts and coloring pages available in the Library Community Room for kids to make here or take home. This is a free event and no registration is required. Please contact the library with questions at 515-465-3569.
Perry Community Blood Drive
12-4 p.m. Friday, Dec. 30 at Dallas County Hospital Community Room, 610 10th St., Perry.
As our temperatures drop, the need for blood goes up! Winter weather, the holiday season, flu season and busy schedules all have an impact on blood donations and blood supply. LifeServe Blood Center is urging community members to roll up a sleeve and give blood donation a try as soon as possible. Make an appointment at an upcoming neighborhood blood drive near you. The Perry Community Blood Drive will be held from 12-4 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 30 at Dallas County Hospital Community Room. Schedule a blood donation appointment online at lifeservebloodcenter.org or call 800.287.4903.
Festival of Trees
Through Jan. 8 at Carnegie Library Museum, Perry.
The Festival of Trees is back for its eighth year, and it’s time to celebrate in person again. From Nov. 22 to Jan. 8, the Carnegie Library Museum will transform into a merry wonderland, with beautifully decorated themed trees and festive displays installed by individuals, businesses, and organizations, all designed to put us in the holiday spirit. Enjoy the magical atmosphere all season at this free event. For more information, call the Carnegie Library Museum: 515-465-7713.
To submit events to be included in the Around the County or Happenings in and around Perry round-ups, email news@adelnews.com or news@theperrychief.com.
This article originally appeared on Perry Chief: Happenings in and around Perry
