The Old Fashioned Christmas is an annual event, sponsored by the Galva Chamber of Commerce. The day of festivities will kick off the Christmas season on Saturday, Nov. 30.
The schedule of events is as follows:
9 – 11 a.m. The Galva Arts Council starts the day with a “make-and-take” for children at the council’s building on Exchange Street. Youngsters can make up to three holiday cards.
9 a.m. – 7 p.m. Decorated mini trees and wreaths will be displayed and raffle tickets will be sold by Arts Council members.
11 a.m. Chili and soup will be for sale by the Arts Council.
12:30 – 2:30 p.m. The Galva Senior Citizens Center on Front Street will be serving coffee, hot chocolate and cookies.
1 p.m. The Center is sponsoring music by The Nice List at 1 p.m., with coffee, hot chocolate and cookies available from 12:30 – 2:30 p.m.
1 – 4 p.m. Free pony rides sponsored by the city of Galva and Community State Bank will be on Market Street.
At the same time in Veterans Park, the Girl Scouts will be collecting unwrapped toys for the Beta Sigma Phi Sorority Love Tree and free horse-drawn carriage rides sponsored by the State Bank of Toulon will be available.
Santa will be back in the Gingerbread House to hear Christmas wishes from the children, with his trip from the North Pole sponsored by Community State Bank.
4 – 6 p.m. Hathaway’s Ace Hardware and Fresh Market is hosting a wine and beer tasting.
4 p.m. The parade lineup starts at the Stackhouse-Moore Funeral Home parking lot.
5 p.m. The parade begins.
5:30 p.m. The lighting of Veterans Park takes place, with Santa leading the countdown to the
lighting.
After the parade, Allenia Space, Galva’s newest business, will host a family sing-along of the “Sound of Music,” led by owner Astrid Haryati. Also included in the day’s events is a fundraiser for Lynn Yelm at Market Street’s Road Trip, beginning at 4 p.m.
7 p.m. The day is topped off by a Christmas Coffee House back at the Galva Arts Council, with music provided by well-known singer-songwriter, Greg Percival. Coffee and sweet treats will be available for those attending. The winners of the mini tree and wreath contest will be announced.
In addition, the following businesses will be participating:
9 a.m. – Noon The Rambling Rose Florist on Commercial Street will be offering refreshments
and giveaways.
9 a.m. – 5 p.m. PollyAnna’s on Front Street will be open with make-and-take crafts and
giveaways.
1 – 4 p.m. Allenia Space will be screening holiday movies and offering giveaways.
4 – 7 p.m. Special Kneads Bakery will be open and offering refreshments.
According to Chamber Secretary/Treasurer Stacy Hanks, the Christmas Parade has been a part of Galva since the early 1990s.
“We appreciate all the support we have received from the community and our Galva businesses,” she said, adding “We are looking forward to a successful celebration this year, and for years to come.”
