Those in search of holiday merrymaking need look no further than northern Tama County next weekend as both the communities of Dysart and Traer gear up to host hometown holiday events.

Traer’s Holiday Happenings kicks off Dec. 1

TRAER – The Traer Chamber of Commerce’s annual Holiday Happenings weekend officially kicks off on Friday, Dec. 1 with the traditional Lighted Holiday Parade along downtown’s Second Street beginning at 6:30 p.m. Be sure to find a spot between Hometown Foods and the Hwy 63 intersection for the best views! Parade winners will be announced at The Junkyard Bar later that evening at 8:30 p.m.

Ahead of the parade, participating downtown businesses will host open house events, while the Union Carolers will perform the sounds of the season in the Kupka Cultural Center at the Traer Public Library beginning at 5:30 p.m.

Also at the library, from 1-5 p.m., folks can sign up to win a free copy of “Christmas at the Shelter Inn” by RaeAnne Thayne.

There will be face painting at the Traer Historical Museum from 5:30-7:30 p.m. that evening.

Trolley rides through a lighted Taylor Park will begin at 7 p.m.

Santa will be present in his workshop on Second Street from 7-9:30 p.m.

And as always, children are invited to mail their Letters to the North Pole in the mailbox located below the Winding Stairs. The mailbox will be open from Nov. 24-Dec. 18 this year.

The following day, Saturday, Dec. 2, the merriment continues with Small Business Saturday.

Santa will be back in town, reading “Twas the Night Before Christmas” at the Traer Public Library beginning at 10 a.m. where he and Mrs. Claus will also pose for photos and hand out cookies.

A nativity walk will take place at St. Luke Lutheran Church from 9 a.m to noon; also during that time the Memorial Building will host a cookie sale and craft/vendor fair until 2 p.m., while the Traer Lions Club Soup Lunch will take place from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Beginning at 11 a.m., the Traer Theatre will host a free showing of the classic film “The Grinch” for children and their caregivers.

Later in the evening, The Wind-Up Lounge will host an Ugly Holiday Sweater Party beginning at 7 p.m., followed by the announcement of both the 50/50 Raffle and small business drawing winners at 8 p.m.

Santa Claus is coming to Dysart on Dec. 2!

DYSART – A night of holiday fun sponsored by Club Dysart and DG Elementary PTO centered around a visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus is set for Saturday, Dec. 2 at the Dysart Community Building.

Club Dysart’s annual ‘Supper with Santa’ will take place from 5-7 p.m. in the upper level of the building. Pasta, salad, breadsticks, and dessert will be served up in exchange for a freewill donation with proceeds going toward Club Dysart’s 4th of July celebration.

While the supper takes place upstairs, Santa and the Mrs. will be on hand in the lower level to greet children and their caregivers.

The evening will go out on a high note(!) with the famous Union Carolers stopping by at 6:30 p.m. to provide family-friendly musical entertainment.

Also during the event, Club Dysart will be selling raffle tickets for holiday platters and pies, and the PTO will again host their Holiday Store where children can purchase affordable gifts for their families with help from volunteers.

For more information, follow Club Dysart on Facebook.

Dysart Community Foundation’s annual pancake breakfast Dec. 2

DYSART – Ahead of Santa’s visit to town on Dec. 2, the Dysart Community Foundation will host its annual Christmas Breakfast fundraiser at the Community Building from 8 a.m. to noon. Delicious plates of pancakes and other breakfast fare will be served as the organization works to prepare for 2024 community enrichment events.

In 2023, the Foundation provided eight grants to local entities using funds raised from the Christmas Breakfast, citizen gifts, and investment income.

Initiatives funded in 2023 include:

-Norma Anders Public Library: summer reading program

-Dysart Vacation Trust Bible School: non-denominational program costs

-Wolf Creek Players: computer purchase

-DDC/Vision Dysart: restoration funds for the Dysart Gorge

-Club Dysart: budgeted Sesquicentennial expenses

-Union Middle School: auditorium sound system

-Dysart Tree Board: historical trail signage

-Dysart Historical Society: archival storage of Dysart-Reporter newspapers

For more information including how to support future investment in Dysart, contact a member of the Foundation’s board, or trust officer Richard Krug at 319-478-2148.

2023 board members include chair Pamela Thiele, vice chair Sarah Carter, Reta Callahan, Michael Barfels, Bret Hennessy, Neil Mullen, and Jenna Scott.