The 3rd annual Christmas On Main is fast approaching. This year’s celebration, which takes place on Saturday, Dec. 9, from 4-7 p.m., takes place with a vintage theme, honoring a classic holiday movie with the tagline, “It’s a Wonderful Life in Nevada, Iowa.”
The 2023 celebration, like in its first two years, features many business open houses in the Main Street District, treats, fun activities, strolling the sidewalks, and more.
Back from last year are the popular horse and carriage rides, sponsored by the Marc Olson Real Estate, MORE Team. The rides will load in front of the Senior Center. Also returning are Memorial Lutheran’s bells inside the Camelot Theater (until 5:30), high school strolling carolers (from 5-6 p.m.), the American Legion’s Cookie Walk (while supplies last), Cards for Seniors boxes, Letters To Santa (inside Something Blue), our special vendors in the Senior Center and historic hotel lobby, and Santa and Mrs. Claus strolling the downtown district. Along with Santa and Mrs. Claus, three other popular holiday characters will be strolling the district: Buddy the Elf, Olaf and the Grinch. Santa and friends will arrive on a Nevada fire truck in front of City Hall right as the festivities begin (about 3:55 p.m.).
Some new and exciting things in store for this year’s celebration include a huge lighted tree in the City Hall campus area (yes, you can take photographs by the tree and sleigh); Nevada firefighters giving out cups of chili in the city hall parking lot (rather than a sit-down supper), a Magic Moment 360-degree photo booth in the Mason’s building (corner of J and 6th), tours of the vintage Dyer-Dowell House, and rides in Nevada’s new vintage Dahlia bus of Dahlia Darling & Co. You can board the bus at two locations – in front of Central Presbyterian Church or at the north end of Sixth Street, across from the Legion Post – for an 8 to 10-minute ride.
So many things are waiting for you this year that organizers advise picking up or downloading the official Christmas On Main map, which can be found on the Main Street Nevada Facebook page. Printed copies will be available next week at the Main Street Nevada office and the Nevada Public Library.
Happening ahead of Christmas On Main at 2 p.m. that day will be the Ugly Sweater Run. Participants and viewers should gather in front of State Bank & Trust. To register or find out more, go to: www.runnevada.org.
Happening right after the event, at 7 p.m. that evening, is the Acoustic Christmas Concert by Wade Hayes at the Camelot Theater. To find out more, go to: (5) An Acoustic Christmas with Wade Hayes | Facebook.
All those attending Christmas On Main this year are encouraged to stop at State Bank & Trust to draw a bill out of “George Bailey’s basket of money.” Some bills drawn will include prizes from local businesses! We ask that each person draw only once, while bills last.
As in its first two years, Christmas On Main is a chance to visit with local businesspeople and your friends, a chance to explore all there is to discover downtown, a chance to imagine yourself in the middle of a Christmas movie, a chance to create something unique with a craft project, and a chance to shop at our unique vendors and businesses.
Stay tuned to the Main Street Nevada Facebook page – www.facebook.com/mainstnevada — for daily posts and more information about this year’s Christmas On Main!
–Written by Marlys Barker, City of Nevada
