With Christmas just 20 days away, there are a variety of activities planned in and around Osceola in the days and weeks leading up to the 25th to help get everyone into holiday spirit. With some happenings already having taken place, the first kickoff in December will be this Saturday, Dec. 7.
Dec. 7
Saturday begins with Clarke Winter Wonderland from 9 to 11 a.m. in the Clarke Elementary cafeteria. There will be a free breakfast, free haircuts for students, pictures with Santa, crafts, books and more.
The Clarke COunty Farmers Market will hold their Christmas Market from 9 a.m. to noon in the Historic Depot.
From 9:30 a.m to 12 p.m., the Osceola Public Library will host their annual open house. There will be crafts for kids, cookies and refreshments, live music, door prizes and more.
The annual Christmas in the Park hosted by Osceola Chamber-Main Street (OCMS) takes place from 1 to 5 p.m. in historic downtown. Formerly known as Holiday Brilliance, this year’s event will feature many well-loved events, including:
Santa Claus in his house on the south side of the courtyard. Stop by to say hi, tell him your wish list and get a picture. He will be there throughout the four hours.
Local law enforcement will be doing their annual toy giveaway, this year held in the Osceola Fire Hall, 135 W. Washington St.
A mule wagon ride, picking up and dropping off riders on the southside of the square.
Letters to Santa will take place inside the OSceola Senior Center, 114 S. Fillmore St.
A new event that will take place this year is a Cookie Stroll, an idea that OCMS events coordinator Leslie Torres was inspired by from a Hallmark movie. Those with pre-purchased tickets will pick up a red, mesh stocking from OCMS at the fire hall, as well as a map that will lead them around the square in search of different ingredients to make a Christmas sugar cookie. There will be five dry ingredients, as well as various goodies for those who are participating to pick up along the way.
“We just wanted it to make it as magical as possible for the kiddos, bring more people downtown,” said Torres of the new event. “We thought, adults can have fun with a wine walk, kids cna have fun with a stroll.”
There will be sugar cookies at the Fire Hall to decorate, open to everyone. Pho Wheels & Sushi food truck will be on deck outside of the Fire Hall.
The Osceola American Legion will be hosting a Christmas Card event from 1 to 5 p.m., 136 W. Jefferson St., where cards can be made to send to service members who are unable to make it home for the holidays.
The lighted Christmas parade will end the festivities at 5 p.m. There is no sign-up required to participate in the parade. Anyone who would like to is asked to be at the First Christian Church parking lot, 300 S. Main St., at 4:45 to begin lining up. The parade route comes up Main St. and circles the square.
Other December events
On Monday, Dec. 16, the Osceola Public Library will host an interactive Christmas-themed story hour. A story or two will be read, there will be activities and an arts and craft project. The family friendly event may also include some sing-along songs and fun games. The hour runs from 4 to 5 p.m.
Throughout the month, the library is hosting a “The Gingerbread Boy” storybook walk. Participants start by collecting a map and clue worksheet downstairs at the children’s library, and will work their way around the square, reading the story and collecting stickers. The story will finish back at the library where the paper will be turned in for one last sticker and a change at a prize.
Murray’s Christmas in the Park will take place from 5 to 7 p.m. on Dec. 14 in Mallory Park. There will be free hot cocoa, homemade cookies and a hayride, as well as their annual lights and decorations display. There will be a free-will donation, with proceeds to go towards purchasing new lights and other decorations for the park.
The Hotel Osceola, 130 S. Fillmore St., will be holding Winter Markets from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Dec. 7, 14 and 21. On Dec. 7, the Grinch will be there for photo opportunities.
Changes
Make sure to stay up to date for any changes in dates, times or locations of events by checking websites, Facebook pages and businesses listed in this article.