Live Reindeer & Santa featured Nov. 26 for Shenandoah Christmas Jingle Jam Night the Lights Come On

Live reindeer, Santa and Mrs.  Claus are the main attraction at the annual Night the Lights Come On Saturday November 26 downtown. Christmas Jingle Jam is the theme for this year’s event organized by Shenandoah Chamber & Industry Association. The activities are free to all and sponsored by SCIA, Community 1^st Credit Union, Wilson Insurance and Legacy 3 Theater.

Jingle Jam Christmas music and hot chocolate served by the Shenandoah Forum organization will add to the festivities. From 3 to 5 p.m. children will have the opportunity to sit with Santa in his sleigh for photos next to the flatiron clock. Children can see the live reindeer and touch fur and antlers in a display. Mrs. Clause and Miss Shenandoah Carys Woolsey will pass out jingle necklaces to help ring in the holiday season. Santa and Mrs. Claus will count down to the downtown lighting at 5:30 p.m.

Stores will be open for Christmas shopping and many downtown small businesses are accepting SCIA Sno-dough payments which enable shoppers to save money and signup for a $500 drawing awarded in January.

Shenandoah Veterans Memorial Museum at 603 W Lowell Avenue will host a fundraising Soup & Pie Supper in their large meeting room from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. They are partnering with the VFW for the supper and will accept free will donations. The museum will be open for tours also.

Mrs. Claus hosts a free Kids Christmas movie with free popcorn and pop for children Saturday December 3, 10 a.m. at Legacy 3 Theatre. Doors open at 9:30 a.m. The movie shown in all three theatres will be Polar Express. Seating is limited to 140 seats. Parents can join their small children at the theatre or drop off older children and shop Shenandoah for Christmas gifts.

December 3, 10, and 17^th kids can visit Santa at the Everly Brothers Childhood Home, 800 W. Sheridan Avenue, 2-4 p.m. He will have treats and gifts for the kids. Parents are welcome to take photos.

SCIA Marketing Director Shelly Warner encourages everyone to, “See Shenandoah’s beautiful downtown Christmas lights and shop small, shop local. Christmas is an important time for the viability of small businesses and restaurants. Shenandoah is fortunate to have such a retail variety to choose from,” Warner said. “Shenandoah’s lighting is unique. Each year our downtown trees grow suspending the icicle lights higher and higher. The city goes to great effort to continue to create this magical Christmas atmosphere downtown on Sheridan Avenue.”

SCIA is partnering with Forum to Revitalize Shenandoah for a children’s event December 17 “A Day at the North Pole” in the Historical Society Building, 100 S. Maple St. The event will include breakfast with Mrs. Claus 9- 10 a.m. with stories and crafts followed by Santa’s workshop shopping for kids to purchase gifts for Mom and Dad till 1 p.m. Donations of items or dollars for the merchandise are being accepted at Sorensen Auto Plaza. There will be a festive atmosphere and elves and Santa on hand to assist. Reservations are required for breakfast and space is limited to 50 kids. Call SCIA to reserve a spot 712-246-3455. More information for all the Christmas activities at www.sciaiowa.com.