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No place like home for the holidays

Decorations going up ahead of Hometown Holidays celebration

— Photos by Brendan Hoffman for the Daily Freeman-Journal
Jen Peterman and Melissa Miller, right, from the Webster City Chamber of Commerce put up Christmas decorations in Availa Bank Plaza on Wednesday, December 4, 2019 in Webster City, Iowa.

Webster City Chamber of Commerce and the City of Webster City are sponsoring a full day of family holiday fun on Dec. 14.

Hometown Holidays will feature movies, music, food, shopping and the lighting of the community Christmas tree in Availa Bank Plaza.

Jenn Peterman, executive director of the Webster City Chamber of Commerce, said the day gets started with a special breakfast.

“From 9 to 11, Hy-Vee is hosting Breakfast with Santa,” she said. The store is also doing a canned food drive for the All Cultures Equal food pantry.

Christmas at the Bridge will be held from 9 a.m. to noon at The Bridge. The event is a free family activity where adults and children can pick out a special present for their brother, sister, Mom or Grandma. With budgets that are often tight during the holiday season, Christmas at the Bridge is a way that families can add one more gift under the tree.

The Bridge, located at 900 Des Moines St., will be filled with tables full of toys, books, clothing, treats, tools, candles, gift cards, baskets, stuffed animals, coloring books, crayons — all sorts of gifts. Shoppers can browse the gift tables while listening to Christmas music and enjoying a holiday treat. Once a gift is selected, participants can create a Christmas card to go along with the gift, which volunteers will wrap for them.

No reservations or registration is needed to attend. The event is open to all area families.

A free holiday movie, “The Grinch,” will be shown at 1 p.m at the Webster Theater, sponsored by Iowa Central Community College. Free popcorn will also be served, Peterman said.

“After the movie, LIFT WC and HERO are providing free hot cocoa to go,” she said.

The Jane Young House will be open from 1 to 4 p.m. for tours, and will have “Vintage Villages” and more on display. They are asking for a free will donation, according to Peterman.

Horse drawn carriage rides, sponsored by the Webster City Church of Christ, will be held from 2 to 6 p.m. from the church parking lot at no charge.

Special guests Santa and Mrs. Claus will be greeting children and families inside the Availa Bank Lobby from 2:30 to 6 p.m. Also inside the bank, Pat Powers will be reading Christmas stories from 2 to 6 p.m. Those wishing to create an ornament to take home to their tree can visit the make and take ornament station inside Availa Bank.

“Everything is at no cost,” she said.

The American Legion will be serving a scalloped potatoes and ham meal from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Legion Hall. They request a freewill donation.

Peterman said a live nativity scene will be presented at the Availa Bank Plaza at 5:15 p.m., just before the lighting of the community Christmas Tree at 5:30 p.m. Peterman said musicians from the high school chorus and band would perform during the tree lighting.

That evening, the Webster City Community Theatre will present its production of “The Gift of Thyme,” beginning at 7 p.m.

A special kids Christmas movie and pajama party will be held at the Webster City Church of Christ from 7 to 9 p.m. The movie, “The Star” will be shown.

And of course, Peterman said, area retailers will be open their regular Saturday hours.

“We’re encouraging everyone to get out and shop local that day,” she said. “That’s a great time to stop in and pick up some Christmas gifts.”

Sponsors of the Hometown Holiday are Webster City Church of Christ, HyVee, Availa Bank, 2nd Street Emporium, Lift WC, Webster Theater, heuss Printing, Iowa Central Community College, First State Bank City of Webster City and Webster City Area Chamber of Commerce.

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