Nevada prepares for large 'Christmas on Main' celebration
The city of Nevada will be traveling back in time this weekend with a vintage-themed celebration.
The third annual Christmas On Main will take place from 4-7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 9. This year's event will pay homage to a classic holiday movie with the tagline, “It’s a Wonderful Life in Nevada, Iowa.”
Main Street Nevada Director Emily Schaack hopes to build off the event's recent success, thanks to last year's Christmas On Main setting attendance records.
"It's an event for all ages," Schaack said. "We see families bring their young kids and adults who don't have kids down here strolling. There are activities for (everyone)."
Nevada's holiday tradition came from Nevada's Development and Communications Specialist Marlys Barker, who has been involved in planning the event every year. The idea came to her as she watched some Hallmark movies during the holidays.
"It hit me that Nevada needed something to bring people downtown so we could come together as a community and enjoy the holiday season," Barker said. "I thought, 'Nevada has all the great people and places that some of these Hallmark movies have,' so we should be able to do something at Christmas time, just like what people in these beautiful movies do."
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Bringing the holidays to Main Street
Barker asked the businesses in the Main Street District to conjure some holiday magic. It could be anything − a Christmas treat, craft project or something people could experience by coming into their storefront.
"I wanted people to actually walk in some of the shops and businesses they maybe haven’t ever been in," Barker said. "I wanted people to meet businesspeople that they hadn’t met before."
Main Street Nevada leaders loved the idea, and Barker was given the go-ahead. Because she was dreaming of a "movie atmosphere," the first event was called "Christmas on Main: A Made for the Movies Holiday Celebration."
Continuing the movie theme into the next chapter, last year's theme was "Christmas On Main: Join Us, Don’t Stay ‘Home Alone," in honor of the comedic Christmas story.
Barker has handed over the reins of Christmas On Main to the promotions committee of Main Street but has stayed on board to help. The consensus was to establish a vintage move theme, with this year's choice being, "It's A Wonderful Life." Referencing an iconic scene, “George Bailey’s basket of money," will be at the State Bank & Trust building.
Eventgoers may draw a fake bill to try and win prizes from local businesses.
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Plenty of family activities will have Nevada bustling
For the first time, Christmas on Main will include a large, lighted Christmas tree near the Nevada City Hall. Guests are encouraged to take photos by the tree and sleigh. A Magic Moment 360-degree photo booth in the Mason’s building will provide an additional photo opportunity.
Also new this year is Nevada a chili feed put on by local firefighters in the city hall parking lot, tours of the vintage Dyer-Dowell House, and rides in Nevada’s vintage Dahlia bus of Dahlia Darling & Co. The bus can be boarded either in front of Central Presbyterian Church or at the north end of Sixth Street across from the Legion Post.
Several popular activities from previous Christmas On Main celebrations return again this year, including: . Returning activities include:
Carriage rides (loading in front of the senior center)
Memorial Lutheran’s bells inside the Camelot Theater until 5:30
High school strolling carolers from 5 to 6 p.m.
The American Legion's cookie walk
Special vendors in the Senior Center and historic hotel lobby
Santa and Mrs. Claus strolling the downtown district, after arriving on a fire truck
Popular Christmas characters will also stroll Nevada's downtown streets, Schaack said. Joining Santa and Mrs. Claus are Buddy the Elf, Olaf and the Grinch.
An Ugly Sweater Run, a returning favorite activity, will start at 2 p.m. Saturday in front of the State Bank & Trust. Those wishing to register may do so at www.runnevada.org.
An acoustic Christmas concert by Wade Hayes will follow at 7 p.m. at the Camelot Theater. To find out more, go to: (5) An Acoustic Christmas with Wade Hayes | Facebook.
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Holiday traditions bring Nevada together
Main Street Nevada and city leaders attribute Christmas on Main's success to its wide range of popular activities not limited to any particular demographics. The holiday festival's draw is large enough to reach beyond city limits and often pulls in out-of-towners.
"We like to see anybody come down and hope we have enough events that can entertain any age or gender," Schaack said. "We have seen quite a few families from out of town come and take part in all the activities."
Christmas On Main offers a chance to visit with local business owners, connect with friends and explore downtown, all while basking in the joys of the holiday season.
Barker is looking forward to seeing that tradition continue this year.
"For me the heart of Christmas On Main is in the people, bringing businesspeople and residents in our wonderful community together, and we love visitors to come to our community and be welcomed for these events too." Barker said. "It’s a Christmas celebration for our 'community family,' a chance to greet each other and appreciate all we have in Nevada."
Celia Brocker is a government, crime, political and education reporter for the Ames Tribune. She can be reached at CBrocker@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Ames Tribune: Nevada's "Christmas on Main" gears up for Saturday celebration
