Volunteers needed

The 2023 Winter Snowcial is set for Saturday, December 2, in Uptown Denison.

“In a way, it’s similar to Hot Summer Nights, but it won’t be hot out and hopefully not too cold,” said Crawford County Tourism Coordinator Drew Perrien.

“We want to bring the community together in the holiday spirit and remind people that there are plenty of local businesses to shop at.”

Perrien said the event will mostly follow the format that has been used in previous years.

“The only real change this time is we combined the Santa Fun Run with the costume contest,” he said.

Costumes other than Santa costumes will be welcome to take part in the race.

“Last year, somebody dressed like a Christmas tree,” Perrien said. “The fun run is such a short run; it’s about the festiveness of the holiday season, so this year it’s more of a costume contest with a little bit of a run to keep you warm.”

Awards will be given for best costume, funniest costume and most original costume.

“You can win a $20 CDC gift card if you have one of the top three costumes,” he said.

The fun run starts at the Donna Reed Theater, goes east a block, takes a left at United Bank of Iowa, goes around the edge of the Safety Zone parking lot to 1st Avenue North, over to North Main Street and then back to the theater.

The entry fee is $10; the run begins at noon and kicks off the Winter Snowcial.

“You’ll get a free drink with that from the Bake Shop,” Perrien said. “The idea is to get out and have some fun.”

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“Merry Market in the Mall” will run in conjunction with the Snowcial from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Broadway and Main Mall; about 15 vendors will be on hand to show and sell their wares.

Santa Claus will be at the mall from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and will then move to the Santa House between UBI and Cobalt Credit Union on Broadway from 1 to 4 p.m.

The Bake Shop and Café will provide the beverage garden for the Winter Snowcial.

Flaco’s Tacos and Pim’s Thai Food will provide tasty food items.

Attendees will be able to roast marshmallows and stay warm at fire pits set up on Broadway; a variety of games will be provided.

A candy cane scavenger hunt, involving the participating businesses, will also take place.

In the Donna Reed Theater lobby, St. Croix Hospice will set up a cookie decorating area and Family Crisis Centers will have craft tables to keep kids busy.

The Women in Business Impact Organization (WIBIO) will provide horse-drawn wagon rides for a freewill donation.

The Snowcial activities on the street will wrap up at about 4 p.m., which is when “Elf,” the popular 2003 film starring Will Ferrell, will play at the Donna Reed Theater.

A lighted parade will take to the streets following the film.

Volunteers are needed to run the Winter Snowcial.

“It’s nothing too hard – just help with the kids’ games and Santa Fun run and setting up and tearing down during the movie,” Perrien said.

To volunteer, contact Perrien at dperrien@cdcia.org or 712-263-5621.

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