A Gift for Rebecca

Thursday, Friday, Saturday • November 20, 21, 22 • 7:00pm
Sunday • November 23 • 2:00pm
The Winterset Stage at The Iowa Theater

It is Santa’s first year in retirement. Unimpressed with the new system in place at the North Pole (under the direction of his former apprentice and new CEO), Santa recruits his wife, his loyal stable attendant, and his trusted team of reindeer to go on one last mission to respond to the wish of an unhappy girl in foster care who doesn’t believe in him.

This performance will take place on the historic stage at The Iowa Theater. Online ticket sales are closed now but you CAN still get tickets for each performance at the door. Doors open 30 minutes prior to the performance time. Tickets are $20 for adults and $10 for youth. $5 from each ticket supports the Winterset Stage’s Fine Arts Scholarship Program, helping Madison County youth experience the arts through camps, workshops, and classes.

Pink Friday

Friday • November 21
Winterset Retail District

Pink Friday is a nationwide event dedicated to celebrating and supporting small and local businesses, before the big boxes. Since 2020, taking place the Friday before Black Friday, Pink Friday encourages shoppers to discover and support small retailers first during the holiday season.

So on Friday, November 21st, #SupportSmallFirst and check our our local retailers before you hit the big box stores on Black Friday. If it’s been a while since you’ve really scoped out our local shops—I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised at the variety of merchandise you can find right here. And remember, local retailers are the ones who support your kids or grandkids sports teams, sponsor and volunteer at community events and festivals, and donate to community projects! Let them know how valuable they are to our community by spending some of your holiday dollars.

Pink Friday Ladies Night

Friday • November 21 • 5:00 – 10:00pm
The Warehouse on 2nd, 231 N 2nd Ave

And after your shopping, you can drop by The Warehouse on 2nd for Pink Friday Ladies Night. Treat yourself to some relaxation including games, karaoke, desserts, pink drink specials, and free chair massages.

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Holiday Hop

Saturday • November 23 • 8:30am – 1:30pm
Multiple Locations

Lace up your comfiest shoes and hit all eleven locations in this year’s Holiday Hop! Along the way you’ll find hand-crafted and one-of-a-kind goods, plus food, treats and much more. Call up some friends because it’s more fun that way!

How (Not) to Build a School in Haiti

Sunday • November 23 • 6:30pm
Sunday Movie Club at The Iowa Theater

This month’s Sunday Movie Club screening was shifted to the fourth Sunday (rather than the usual third) in order to offer “How (Not) To Build A School in Haiti,” a documentary film directed by Jack C. Newell. Sponsored by the Madison County Foundation for Community Arts, the event will include a discussion with Newell following the film.

Doors open at 6:00 p.m., a little later than regular Movie Club screenings. The movie starts at 6:30. Total running time is ninety minutes. The screening is free for Movie Club members as part of their $75 per year membership, but anyone can purchase an $8 ticket.

In “How (Not) To Build A School in Haiti ,” development, history, and colonialism collide as a seemingly simple aid project spirals out of control. When a headstrong American clashes with a Haitian leader in the construction of a new school, it forces a reckoning on privilege and power. Starting with the 2010 earthquake in Port-au-Prince and following the project for six years, the film documents plot twists worthy of fiction and questions how to best help those who need it most.

The movie has screened at various film festivals and venues, including the Haiti Film Fest in New York City, the Gene Siskel Film Center in Chicago, the University of Colorado Boulder, Marquette University, DOCTAH, and many others.

The Sunday Movie Club is the Iowa Theater’s once-a-month screening of slightly off-the-beaten path, thought-provoking films. Similar to a book club, the screenings include an informal, optional (and brief) discussion after the credits roll.

Festival of Lights

Friday • November 28 • 5:00 – 8:00pm
Winterset Retail District

Join the fun in Winterset’s courthouse retail district for a holiday experience like none other—lighted and live window displays, food, shopping, a lighted parade and appearances by Santa!

5:00 pm – Live and lighted window displays start. Voting opens at the Chamber’s Welcome Center for your favorite window display. Food and beverages will be available on the west side of the courthouse lawn. Santa will be inside the courthouse for visits and your own photos.

6:45 pm – Santa leaves courthouse

7:00 pm – Parade floats begin lining up

7:15 pm – Festival of Lights Parade 

8:00pm – Live and lighted display voting ends 

8pm – Elf at the Iowa Theater – Free admission with a food pantry donation

Bright Lights & Cozy Bites

Friday • November 28 • 5:00 – 7:00pm
Winterset Community Education Foundation
at The Warehouse on 2nd

Warm up and fuel up with dinner and hot cocoa before the lighted parade! The Winterset Community Education Foundation will be serving up chili and a build-your-own mac & cheese bar at The Warehouse on 2nd. Free will donations for the food support the WCEF. Adult hot cocoa available for purchase!

Elf

Friday • November 28 • 8:00pm
The Iowa Theater

Before you head to the lighted parade, remember to pack a non-perishable food or personal hygiene item to use as your admission to the Iowa Theater’s annual screening of Elf. All collected items are donated to MATURA.

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No-School Days: Fun at the Library!

Monday • November 24
Tuesday • November 25
Winterset Public Librarry

The library always knows how to keep kids engaged on school breaks. Check out these THREE fun activities next Monday and Tuesday.

Kiwanis Pancake Breakfast

Saturday • November 29 • 7:00 – 11:00am
American Legion Hall

After all the Friday night festivities, roll out of bed on Saturday and treat yourself to a stack of fluffy pancakes. The free will offering proceeds will benefit the Winterset Kiwanis high school scholarship fund.

Indoor Pickleball League

Starts on Sunday, December 7
Sign up at: TinyUrl.com/WPRD-ADULTS

It’s a GREAT day to be a Winterset Citizen—
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