Winter Wonderland in Winterset!
Holiday Lights on Display at the Madison County Historical Complex
Every Night through December 31st
Shop Local!
#ShopWintersetIowa
I like shopping but the idea of spending a day battling traffic, lines, crowds and poor customer service does NOT appeal to me. This is exactly why I love doing my shopping here in Winterset—it’s everything that shopping in Des Moines ISN’T! Our local stores carry a huge variety of unique gifts, many of them hand-made by local artisans, the customer service is sublime and the whole experience lifts my spirits instead of leaving me feeling drained and Scrooge-like. And since the weather is so mild right now, walking from store to store this weekend will be an even more enjoyable experience. I encourage you to hit the sidewalks this weekend and see how many gifts you can cross off your list right here!
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This Weekend
Christmas Open House
Saturday • December 4th • 10:00am to Noon
Winterset Public Library
Enjoy treats, music (and books) this Saturday at the Winterset Public Library’s Open House. I happen to have it on good authority that several charming, young, local musicians will be sharing their musical talents from 11:00 – 11:30.
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Ghostbusters: Afterlife
Friday & Saturday at 7:00pm, Saturday at 2:00pm, No Show Sunday
The Iowa Theater
When a single mother and her two children move to a new town, they soon discover they have a connection to the original Ghostbusters and the secret legacy their grandfather left behind. Starring Paul Rudd, who was recently named the 2021 “Sexiest Man Alive” by People Magazine. 🙂 PG-13, 2hr 4min
Tom & Jerry – FREE MOVIE!
Saturday • December 4 • 11:00am
The Iowa Theater
With support from the Madison County Women’s Giving Circle, the Iowa Theater is proud to host the Family Film Series, which will continue into 2022. Admission is free with the donation of a non-perishable food item or unused personal hygiene product at the door. All donations will be given to Matura of Madison County.
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Coming Soon
Open Youth Choir Rehearsals
Cantemus • Grade 5-8 • December 6th & 13th
Cantilena • Grade 2-4 • December 8th & 15th
Heartland Youth Choir, Madison County
The Madison County Satellite of Heartland Youth Choir will hold open rehearsals the weeks of December 6th and 13th. This is a great opportunity for any young singer who might be interested in joining the group to come try it out before they commit. New singers can then join in January.
Cantilena is the ensemble for singers in 2nd through 4th grades. They meet on Wednesday from 3:40 to 4:40 at the First United Methodist Church, 309 E Jefferson.
Cantemus is the ensemble for singers in 5th through 8th grades. They meet on Mondays from 4:45 to 5:45 at the Madison County Music Co studios, 217 N 1st Ave.
To learn more and sign a singer up to attend one or both rehearsals, visit: www.MadisonCountyMusicCo.com/hyc
Lights, Christmas, Action!
Friday • December 10 • 5:00 – 7:00pm
Downtown Winterset
Downtown Winterset businesses will host their annual live window display event on Friday, December 10th. Enjoy creative window displays on the theme “Christmas Around the World” while you have another opportunity for local shopping as the businesses stay open late!
Taste of Summer
Friday • December 10
Winterset High School
Enjoy a little Taste of Summer Friday, December 10th, at the WHS Basketball Games. The action kicks off at 4:30pm with JV games followed by Varsity Girls and 9th Grade Boys at 6:00 and Varsity Boys at 7:30. In between the games, enjoy food from the Madison County Pork Producers, games, raffles and treats like brownies and ice cream.
The Best Christmas Pageant Ever
December 10-12 • Tickets still available for Sunday • December 12 • 5:00pm
The Winterset Stage at The Iowa Theater
Four of the five performances of The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, produced by The Winterset Stage, are already sold out. There are still some tickets available, though, for the performance on Sunday, December 12th, at 5:00pm. www.TheWintersetStage.org
Bells, Bows & Boutiques Tour
Friday • December 10th
Winterset, Earlham, Adel and Winterset
The Madison County Chamber of Commerce has teamed up with their counterparts in Adel and Indianola for this shopping event. Spend the weekend shopping your way through all three towns.
For some added fun, the Madison County Chamber of Commerce is hosting a special game on Friday, December 10th, and Saturday, December 11th. Be among the first to find one of six bells (three gold, three silver) hidden somewhere in a retail shop in Winterset or Earlham, and win $20 (gold bell) or $15 (silver bell) in Chamber bucks which can be used at any of our member businesses like cash! There will be six bells to find on Friday and six on Saturday—a total of 12 chances to win!
Find the event on the chamber’s Facebook page to get clues to help you find the bells!
Live Reindeer & Santa Event
Saturday • December 11 • 3:00 – 5:00pm
Madison County Historical Complex
Bring your kids (or kids at heart) to the Madison County Historical Complex to see Santa and get a photo op with real live reindeer on Saturday, December 11th, from 3:00 to 5:00pm.
The Nutcracker
December 17th-19th
Winterset Ballet
Winterset Ballet and Dance is bring The Nutcracker to the Iowa Theater again this year for four performances—some of which are nearly sold out already. If you’d like to get tickets for this quintessential holiday ballet, don’t wait!
Beekeeping 101
Monday • December 13th • 7:00 – 8:00pm
Winterset Public Library
Several years ago I had a hand in convincing my parents that keeping bees on their property in Clarke County (with extensive flower gardens) would be a good idea. There have been some ups and downs but there’s no denying that pollinators are incredibly important to our ecosystem and they need our help. If you think you might be interested, here’s a good first step!
Christmas Cookie Exchange
Monday • December 13th • 6:00pm
Winterset Public Library
Bake six dozen of the one type of cookie, go home with half a dozen of twelve types of cookies. That’s a good deal for sure!
It’s a GREAT day to be a Winterset Citizen—
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American State Bank
Anchored Walls
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Farmers & Merchants State Bank
Homefront Real Estate
The Iowa Theater
Lowe Chiropractic Clinic
Madison County Health Care System
Madison County Historical Society
McGowen Hurst Clark Smith
Medicap Pharmacy
Midwest Heritage Bank
Montross Pharmacy
State Farm, Charlotte Speer
Union State Bank
Winterset Ballet & Dance Studio
Winterset Optimist Club
Winterset Parks & Recreation Department