T-R PHOTO BY CHUCK FRIEND
Dennis Dostal will be bringing his trolley back to the 2019 event on Dec 7.

CONRAD — There are activities for the entire family planned as the Conrad Chamber-Main Street organization hosts the annual Christmas in Conrad celebration on Dec. 7.

According to Chamber-Main Street executive Director Krista Grant, this year’s theme is “A Country Christmas.” Many of the popular activities enjoyed each year will return, while a new activity — a Christmas Tour of Homes will be added from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Advance tickets are available at GNB Bank and MidWestOne bank. They will also be available at Festival of Trees on Dec.7.

The day’s activities begin with a pancake breakfast hosted by the fire department at the Conrad Fire Station. The Boy Scouts will sell wreaths & swags during the breakfast. Conrad Hardware will host its Christmas Open House from 8 a.m. until 7 p.m.

Conrad Chamber Main Street’s Festival of Trees will be at the Fellowship Hall at Conrad First Presbyterian Church. Hours for viewing will be from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., Dec 4 and 5; 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., Dec 6; 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. and from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., Dec 7.

Oakview Nursing Home will host its annual Christmas bazaar with vendors from 9 a.m. until noon. From 10 a.m. to 7 p.m Hen and Chicks studio will hold a red and green fabric special (Buy 2 yards of red or green fabric and get the 3rd yard free). From 2-4 p.m. CMS will hold its volunteer appreciation at the Festival of Trees site.

Grant said the evening events begin at 5 p.m. with something for all ages to come out and enjoy.

The Farmers Daughter Photography- Open House will be held from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Kids can make crafts in the Conrad Public Library from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. and make Reindeer food at Sheer Bliss during their open house. Also from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. will be Classic Cuts- Open House; Chalet- Open House; GNB- Open House- Letters to Santa, cookies and hot chocolate; Midwest One Bank and Conrad Chiropractic- cookie decorating; Vendors at the Conrad Public Library; Something to Share- In store holiday specials & food/drink samples; Warming Pits on Main Street provided by the Boy Scouts; and Hutch Screen Printing- Open House. Drink and pizza specials will be available all day at RJ’s and Hometown Foods will offer samples, specials, cookie decorating all day.

The Conrad American Legion Auxiliary will be serving soup, hot dogs or chili dogs and drinks from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Legion hall.

The big event in all the kid’s minds — Santa and Mrs. Claus arrives on the trolley at 5:05 p.m. At 5:15 p.m. Santa and Mrs. Claus will light up the trees at Dorothy King Park. The pair from the North Pole will meet and greet kids at the Conrad Public Library and give out treats from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Another event back by popular demand is the 5:30 p. m Snowball Drop. This will take place in the center of Main Street. The snowballs (ping pong balls) will be dropped for everyone to grab. Hundreds of prizes & discounts will be available. People can redeem their snowballs at the old GNB Insurance building following the drop.

Horse drawn trolley rides will be available — loading on the north end of Main Street from 5:15 p.m. to 7 p.m.