Santa will slide down the firepole and elves prance through Eldridge Friday with the return of Hometown Holiday.
Nearly 50 businesses and local groups will open their doors to North Scott families from 5:30–7:30 p.m., offering treats, promotional items, and activities. Storefronts across town have already begun vixen up their windows.
“It’s a fun, free, family event,” said Tabbitha Kramer, director of the Eldridge–North Scott Chamber of Commerce, which puts on the festivities each year.
A handful of new activities will join a host of old favorites, she said.
Santa Claus will hear children’s wishes at the fire station, where adults can enter the annual wreath raffle. Carriage rides will step off from the Franklin Street park gazebo and dash through town.
Youngsters wishing to phone the North Pole can stop by Central Broadband. President Mark Harvey said that “even Santa Claus needs fiber optic lines, and we were able to accommodate that for him.”
“We are very happy to be part of the community, and always want to give back,” Harvey said.
Children can voice their humble requests—or their holiday cupidity—at Mentality on Franklin Street. Owner Bethany Reed will have art supplies and a mailbox sending correspondence straight to the North Pole.
Reed collects around a hundred letters every year. She said helping kids write and mail the letters helps restore her Christmas spirit.
“As an adult, I am really guilty of getting stuck in not liking the holidays,” Reed said. “It’s things like this—when you watch the magic in little kiddos eyes, it helps refresh things.
North Scott junior high and high school choirs will spread cheer caroling door-to-door. Dancers with two local studios, Tina’s and A Time to Dance, will perform in front of the fire station from 6:30 p.m.
As youngsters blitz through town, they should keep an eye out for the Grinch, who will be hiding at local businesses. Grinch scavenger hunt sheets will be available at the fire station and Folkinart Studio.
Folkinart will also host alpacas and other barnyard friendlies from McCarty’s Corner Farm, owner Julie Wall said.
“It’s really fun. The little garden space behind the studio is perfect for them to set up a couple pens,” Wall said.
Inside, Wall will have free art-supply goodie bags, and will be selling Christmas ornaments and other goodies.
“Each year I make a certain number of Christmas ornaments for sale. I also have some magic reindeer food in the studio”—in case people are looking to attract Rudolph to their home, she said.
The chamber comets each year’s funds to new decorations and activities. They hope to grow the event each Christmas, said the chamber’s engagement director, Heather Khoury.
“We’re trying to make it as festive as possible. We want it to look like a Hallmark Christmas movie,” she said.
Khoury added that they are still looking for someone to don the second elf costume, and would welcome a volunteer.
City streets must be cleared by 3:45 p.m. Friday; roads will be closed from 4–9:30 p.m. Closures include 2nd Street from the fire station to Donahue Street; the 200–300 blocks of West Franklin and West Davenport Streets; and the 200 block of N. 3rd Street.