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Old Fashioned Christmas returns to Gladstone

Jordan Beck | Daily Press Above, Gavin Semelbauer of Allendale pets ÒGertrudeÓ during GladstoneÕs annual Old Fashioned Christmas event in 2017.

GLADSTONE — Christmas comes early for the city of Gladstone with the annual Old Fashioned Christmas celebration happening Friday from 5:30 to 8 p.m.

Shelly Claycomb, the Gladstone Downtown Development Authority coordinator for the Old Fashioned Christmas, said the event will kick off at 5:30 p.m. with the city’s Christmas tree lighting ceremony. The Christmas tree was donated by Barron’s Orchard.

Darcy Long, the city manager, and Ron Miaso, the DDA/EDC coordinator, will give brief speeches during the lighting ceremony. The Gladstone high school band will also play during the ceremony.

As the tree is being lit, Claycomb said Santa Claus will head down Delta Avenue on a horse-drawn wagon to greet the residents and to take his place at the Rialto Center.

“That is where he will be to visit,” Claycomb said. “Santa also gives out a little goody bag to the kids.”

Delta Avenue between 8th and 11th streets will be closed to traffic for the event from 4:45 to 8 p.m. The road closure is for the horse-drawn wagon ride, which is one of the many activities for the public to enjoy at the event.

Next to the tree will be the live Nativity scene, which will take place for most of the celebration.

There will also be live music at the Gladstone Square, located in the 900 block of Delta Avenue, and caroling will take place throughout the downtown.

Other activities residents can expect at the Old Fashioned Christmas include treats at Great Lakes First Federal Credit Union, face painting at the Rialto Center, crafts at the Rialto Center and Trotters Floral, and games and mocktails at the American Legion.

Claycomb was also excited to mention a new business in Gladstone, the Delta Deli, will have Mrs. Claus reading Christmas stories to children and provide refreshments.

Miaso said Delta Avenue will be all lit up with brand new wreaths and burn barrels for s’mores.

He also suggested community members interested in coming to the Old Fashioned Christmas to bring their cameras to take pictures.

“We don’t take pictures. In the olden days, when you developed things, we did that. But now everyone has (a cell phone),” Miaso said. “Bring your cameras so you can take pictures of your kids with Santa.”

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