Christmas in Howard

The Howard Chamber of Commerce will host its annual Christmas in Howard event on Saturday, Dec. 3. The chamber has a full slate of activities planned for all ages, with plenty of fun, food, and great bargains to be had. Best of all, at the end of the day, two lucky children will have new bicycles.

Back by popular demand, with even more merchants participating this year, is the holiday stamp-card giveaway. Stop by any participating business on Dec. 3 to pick up a card. Then visit a minimum of seven of the businesses listed to get the card stamped. Once seven stamps are collected, the card is then eligible to be entered in a drawing for $50 in Chamber Bucks. Cards are to be dropped off no later than 4 p.m. at Traci’s Trends, 124 N. Wabash. The winner’s name will be drawn during the evening tree-lighting ceremony, and the winner must be present to receive the prize. Several merchants will be offering door prizes that day as well, so be sure to visit them all and sign up for a chance to win.

The day’s schedule will begin with a biscuit/gravy breakfast served from 8-9 a.m. at the ECCA office, 134 E Washington. This is a fundraiser for Elk County Council on Aging, and free will donations will be accepted.

Bertha’s Dolls, part of the Benson Museums, will be open from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m.

Santa arrives at the Cox Building at10:30 a.m., and children may share their Christmas wishes with him until 11:30 a.m. Megan Haag of Howard will offer portraits with Santa.

A break for lunch and shopping is planned from 11:30 a.m. until 1 p.m. Howard boasts three great restaurants, and all will be pleased to serve a mid-day meal.

A free children’s movie, sponsored by Elk Konnected, will be presented at the Howard City Library from 1-3 p.m. After the movie, children ages 12 and younger are invited to make crafts, play games and participate in cupcake walk from 3-4:30 p.m. at the Cox Building. Children who participate are eligible to have their names entered for a great Christmas prize: a brand-new bicycle. One boy and one girl will win a new bike. Only those children ages 12 and younger who attend the crafts and games are eligible to enter. The winning names will be drawn during the tree-lighting ceremony, and the winners must be present.

All are invited to go on a Christmas caroling hayride from 4:30-5:15 p.m. Pick-up and drop-off will be at the Cox Building. At 5:30 is the tree-lighting ceremony. This is also when the winner of $50 in Chamber Bucks will be announced, as will bicycle winners. Winners must be present.

Stay around for a hearty soup/chili/ham and beans supper, which will be offered from 5:30-7 p.m. at the Cox Building as a fundraiser for Elk County 4-H Council. Free will donations will be accepted.

To cap off a day of holiday fun, the Elk County Community Choir will present its Christmas concert at 7 p.m. at First Baptist Church, Howard. All are invited to attend.

For information about any of these activities, please call 374-2321 or 374-2172.