Oskaloosa Holiday Happenings 2010
Oskaloosa Iowa's Downtown Shopping District at Christmas time
Oskaloosa–The week following Thanksgiving will be filled with a variety of events throughout the city to celebrate the season. Oskaloosa’s famous Main Street Lighted Christmas Parade will begin at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday and Friday nights, December 2 and 3. Every year, this parade held the weekend following Thanksgiving, brings thousands of spectators. This year’s theme is “Christmas in the Heartland”. The parade entries march through the historic downtown shopping area. In addition to the parade there will be food vendors, soup suppers, style show, tour of homes and more. This year the parade will feature Santa & Mrs. Claus and some of their reindeer. They have agreed to make an early visit to Oskaloosa to greet the folks there.
Several opportunities to warm up before and/or after the parade include a visit by Dr. Seuss, Cat in the Hat will be at the Book Vault from 4 to 5:30 each night. The Book Vault is located on the west side of the Square. The Penn Central Mall will be entertaining you with gospel groups each evening from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Tassel Ridge Winery will be serving complimentary mulled wine from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m on Nov. 26-27. The winery is located west of Oskaloosa at 1681 220th St., Leighton.
The Children’s Holiday Art Show is comprised of artwork by Kindergarten through 5th grade students at Oskaloosa Elementary School. The pieces chosen show a variety of two-dimensional media used in the elementary art lessons. Students created each of the pieces throughout the fall trimester. Come by and enjoy the artwork at the Iowa Building Dec 2 and Dec 3 from 1:00 to 8:00pm.
Other Oskaloosa Holiday Happenings include the Main Street Holiday Style Show and Luncheon, Friday, December 3rd at 11:30 a.m. sponsored by the Oskaloosa Area Chamber & Dev. Group. This style show will feature local fashions, accessories, door prizes, fabulous food and FUN. Call the Chamber for ticket information. Tickets must be ordered in advance.
The Oskaloosa Christian Grade School Gymnasium comes alive with sounds and sights of Christmas Saturday Dec 4th, during the Festival of Christmas Delights– Saturday hours are from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm. You can do your Christmas baking right there at their incredible bake sale, and your Christmas Shopping at the vendor’s fair. The school is located at 726 North E St. (admission is $1.00)
Oskaloosa Area Association of Churches Holiday Tour of Homes will be Sunday, December 5th from 1 to 5 p.m. Tickets $10, call 641.673.7740.
Sunday, December 19 will feature the Oskaloosa Symphony Orchestra and Chorus in “The Music of Christmas” at the George Daily Auditorium. Tickets for the 4 p.m. performance are $12 for adults, $7 for students or $24 for a family. The concert will also include the Annual Celebrity Guest Conductor event, the Oskaloosa High School Orchestra and Choir.
Picture yourself in Oskaloosa! All are welcome to come and join in celebration of the holiday season—there is so much to see and do in Oskaloosa. Please direct questions to the OACDG office at 641-672-2591. Complete holiday brochure on these and other events is available at www.oskaloosachamber.org.
