T-R FILE PHOTO The Conrad Public Library’s entry in the 2019 Christmas in Conrad tree festival was made out of old books. This year the festival will be at the Conrad Public Library from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.

CONRAD — The annual tradition, Christmas in Conrad, will return Dec. 7 featuring trolley rides, vendors, festival of trees, a snowball drop, Main Street businesses holding open houses and more.

Sponsored by the Conrad Chamber-Main Street, this free, family-friendly event encourages shopping local this holiday season. Board President Jacey Lehman selected this year’s theme of “Christmas Through a Child’s Eyes.”

Executive Director Heather Wilson said the idea came about after reflecting upon last year’s event.

“Look at it through their eyes – how mesmerized, bright eyed and excited about certain little things children are,” Wilson said.

From 8 a.m. to 10 a.m., there will be a pancake breakfast with the Boy Scouts, who will also be selling Christmas wreaths, at the Conrad Fire Station. Also kicking off at 8 a.m., and going until 8 p.m., food specials and cookies will be offered at Conrad Family Food. Head to Conrad Hardware Store for its open house from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Conrad Coffee Cup, co-owned by Wilson and her husband Julian, will have an open house from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. and a Snowman Soup activity during which people can mix a variety of things into hot chocolate.

The “Oh What Fun” Craft & Vendor Show at BCLUW High School gym will run from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Doors will open to vendors at 7 a.m. to set up and get ready by no later than 8:45 a.m. Coordinator Jami Willett said a wide array of items will be available for purchase, including home decor, honey, skin care, wood working items and more. She noted it is not too late to sign up to be a vendor.

“Interested vendors are welcome, even if it is last minute they can always see what’s available — and I will find a way to make it work,” she said. “It is just $25 to keep the cost low for the vendors. Free admission to the show.”

There will also be kids’ activities so parents can shop.

The Christmas Bazaar & Soup Sale at Oakview Nursing Home will run from 9 a.m. to noon. Soup offerings will be chili, chicken noodle and cheese at a cost of $3.50 for a 16-ounce cup.

“Our vendors will be selling baked goods, eggshell Christmas ornaments, laser engraved Christmas ornaments, quilted items, homemade Christmas crafts, graphic t-shirts, Scratch-like cupcakes, homemade signs, homemade gift cards and holders, nuts, crochet crafts, wooden decor items, homemade earrings and homemade Christmas ornaments,” Administrator Kara Butler said.

Hangloose Nutrition will offer holiday specials from 9 a.m. to noon and from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Head to the Conrad Public Library from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. to view the Conrad Chamber-Main Street Festival of Trees. Wilson said businesses donate decorated trees and decorations for display.

“That’s a really cool thing that people like to go through and see,” she said. “Next year we’re thinking about starting to auction off the trees.”

Also at the library from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. will be crafts for kids.

In the spirit of the season, Hen & Chick’s Studio will offer buy two yards of red or green fabric and get the third yard for free (from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.) Groom Room & Barkery will host a Good Vibes Sale from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

At 5:05 p.m., Santa will arrive on the trolley for downtown trolley rides from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at a cost of $1 per person, children 3 and younger are free. The 5:15 p.m. Christmas tree lighting with Mayor Jeff Martin and Heather Wilson will take place at Dorothy King Park. Mary and Rick Eckerman decorated the tree. Youth and people who are young at heart can visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. at TFD Photo & Film for free photos and complimentary treats.

Ongoing will be a shop small giveaway. Through Dec. 13, when someone spends $25 or more at any participating businesses, they will be entered into a drawing for various prizes.

“With that event, we have cute little buckets at all the participating businesses that the third graders up at the elementary decorated for us,” she added.

Wilson said she’s excited about this year’s snowball drop. A hoist is being loaned by Blue Construction and Remodeling. Owner Paul Barcomb and his family will drop ping pong balls from up high into the downtown.

“It’s a huge scramble,” Wilson said. “We let loose about 200 to 300 of them, and some are numbered, and you can go to our old fire station downtown to claim a prize.”

The kids’ snowball drop, for ages 12 and younger, will happen at 5:30 p.m., followed by the adult version at 6 p.m. Both drops are sponsored by Alliant Energy. Limit two per person.

Shear Bliss will host an open house and Reindeer Food Activity from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Hutch Screenprinting & Embroidery will also hold its open house at that time.

At Conrad Family Chiropractic from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. children can write letters to Santa at GNB Bank, plus decorate sugar cookies presented by MidwestONE Bank & Conrad Family Chiropractic.

A Christmas supper provided by American Legion Auxiliary at the American Legion will also take place from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

“Before I was director, I used to volunteer at this event when my kids were still school-aged,” Wilson said. “This is my first Christmas in Conrad. I’m fully overseeing it. I have a great committee of residents and business owners that really step up to the plate.”