A peppermint-themed Christmas tree is already on display at the City Center, ready for the 16th Festival of Trees on Dec 1. Contributed photo

The Gladbrook community will kick-off the holiday season with the 24th Christmas Tree Lighting Festivities, which will be held on Wed., Dec. 1st, 6-8 p.m. It will also be the lighting of the 16th Festival of Trees in the City Center. You will feel like you’re in the heart of candy land as you stroll through the red & white lights, hanging peppermints, stunning candy canes and gingerbread houses!

Beautifully decorated Christmas trees of all shapes and sizes may be viewed at the “Festival of Trees”. You will walk past some very unique and colorfully decorated trees. The trees are sponsored by area businesses, churches, individuals, and organizations. Please join in the fun and decorate a tree. Please remember that the Gladbrook Women’s Club will be judging the exhibits in the Festival of Trees. There will be six categories Business, Organizations, Kids, Religious, Judges Choice, and Misc. You might be a lucky winner of a prize!!!!

Santa Claus will make his annual appearance in Gladbrook on Dec. 1st. He will be upstairs in the City Center on the stage passing out the Santa sacks starting at 6 p.m. “Jolly Old St. Nick” will be seated on the brightly decorated peppermint stage, where you can take your own Santa pictures. The elves will be helping Santa if you just want to pick up your Santa Sack. You are never too old to get a sack!

There will be a Farmers Market in the City Center that evening. In the theater Christmas movies will be playing.

Free hot dogs and hot apple cider will be ready to go by 6:00 p.m. on Main Street. Christmas music will be playing to help everyone get into the holiday spirit. Dostals Belgiums will be ready to pull an illuminated trolley for all ages to ride from 6-8 p.m. The trolley is sponsored by Goos Implement and Great Western Bank.

The kids’ prizes will be sorted according to ages so make sure you register. After the 7:30 p.m. caroling just check your respective age bracket table to see if you are a winner! The adults (anyone 18 years and over) may register for the four $25 in trade dollars.

The highlight of the evening will be the singing of Christmas carols and the lighting of the beautiful evergreen tree followed by the drawing for the adult prizes.

This wonderful evening of holiday fun is sponsored by the Gladbrook Commercial Club and the area businesses.

Come one and all as we transform Gladbrook’s Main Street into a holiday wonderland.