The following is a list of free, non-profit community holiday events being hosted in St. Clair County and the surrounding area, now through the end of December. Events will be added each week as they are received.
The Hermitage Christmas Parade, traveling through downtown, will be on Saturday, Nov. 30, beginning at 5 p.m. There will a float judging with trophies and giveaways.
Light the Park, a large, lighted, drive-thru display at Bolivar’s Dunnegan Memorial Park (585 N. Pomme de Terre Ave.) is held each night, now through Dec. 30, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., with over 60 displays. For safety, all enjoying the displays are asked to remain in their vehicles.
The St. Clair County Library will hold their Rocking & Reading with Santa event on Monday, Dec. 2, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Osceola branch. Children will also be making a craft, decorating and eating cookies, and visiting with Santa. For more information, call the library at 417-646-2214.
Light Up the Lake, at Pomme de Terre Damsite Park (24318 State Hwy. 254, Hermitage) will be each night, Dec. 4 through Dec. 31, from 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. The nightly Christmas drive-through will feature chamber of commerce businesses displaying lights along with tune-in music on the radio, carolers, and Santa. Admission is by donation with area non-profit groups working the gate each evening.
Chopper Stoppers, located on SW Pence Ave. in Roscoe, will be hosting their annual Saint Nicholas Day for children of all ages on Friday, Dec. 6, beginning at 5 p.m. There will be a special appearance by Santa Claus, arts & crafts stations for making gifts for loved ones, dinner, and each child picking a gift from the Children’s Store.
Appleton City’s 28th annual Christmas in the Country Depot Craft Show and shopping event, with vendors and more, is scheduled for Dec. 7, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., and is sponsored by the Appleton City Museum. This year’s event will feature returning crafters and some new faces. Businesses or organizations planning an open house or activity for this large community event are encouraged to email Susan at rsrotert69@gmail.com with details and hours.
Lowry City Community Betterment is hosting a Community Christmas event for children on Dec. 7, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., at the city’s civic center (406 W. 4th St.) with an appearance from Santa, a silent auction, music, food, and tree lighting ceremony.
The Down-Home Country Christmas Parade, hosted by the Bolivar Area Chamber of Commerce, on Saturday, Dec. 7, at 5:30 p.m. The annual evening event will feature Christmas sights and sounds with festive displays, many floats, bands, horses, and an appearance by Santa. The parade will begin on south Springfield Ave. at the entrance of Southwest Baptist University, travel north to the Bolivar square, and then west on Broadway (ending at the Bolivar Schools Central Office).
Vista Baptist Church, located at 2250 SE Old Hwy. 13 in downtown Vista, will host their annual Christmas play on Dec. 7 and Dec. 8, beginning at 7 p.m. The presentation will be “Beauty and the Beast, A Gift of Grace” with those arriving early treated to a special greeting at the door by the cast. There will also be a photo booth and photos with performers.
There will be a Christmas Vesper service at Holy Trinity (formerly TUMC), Appleton City, on Dec. 8 at 4 p.m. They are looking for choir members with practice held on Sundays at 2 p.m. at the church. For more information, call 660-492-2757.
The 44th annual Festival of Christmas, inside Pike Auditorium in Mabee Chapel on Bolivar’s Southwest Baptist University campus, will be held on Sunday, Dec. 8, beginning at 6 p.m. All are invited to attend the free holiday program, bringing together area churches from the Bolivar and surrounding communities. There will be music provided by the Festival Choir, SBU Wind Symphony, Chamber Orchestra, Jazz Ensemble, Chorale, and Higher Ground, as well as feature the Bearcat Belles, Bearcat Four, and the Esquire Band. For more information, call 417-328-1644.
The 4th annual CHRISTmas on the Square, Osceola, will be on Saturday, Dec. 14, from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. All are invited to join in celebrating the birth of Jesus, bringing their family and friends. There will be a live nativity, hot chocolate, coffee, cookies, hotdogs, live music, a petting zoo, hayrides, children’s craft station, and Passport to Christmas. Those that stop by and grab a passport will travel around the square looking for the real 12 Days of Christmas clues. Those that have found them and written them in their passport book may return to the station and claim their prize as well as a chance to win a gift card.
The St. Clair County Library, Osceola and Lowry City branches, currently has their Angel Tree up for those interested in participating choosing an ornament from the tree. Each ornament is printed with a local foster child’s gift request for participants to shop for. The gift requests will need to be purchased and taken to the library branch by Dec. 10 so they may be wrapped and delivered to the child in time for Christmas. Monetary donations are also being accepted.
Life Church, located at 506 W. Mill St. in Humansville, will hold their Community Christmas Dinner on Saturday, Dec. 14, with dinner beginning at 4 p.m. and all welcome to attend. There will also be a Christmas Eve. Candlelight Service on Dec. 24 at 6 p.m.
