Trending
GLADSTONE -- Christmas is in the air in Gladstone, but the real Christmas magic -- and Santa Claus' first visit to the city this year -- will take place Friday during the annual Old Fashioned Christmas.
The event will kick off with the lighting of the city's Christmas tree, located outside city hall, at 5:30 p.m. Then, those attending the holiday celebration will have plenty of options for food and activities to get in the holiday spirit until 8 p.m.
For those looking for festive treats, warm peanuts will be available at Main Street Pizza; cookies, egg nog, and hot chocolate will be available at Water's Edge Chiropractic; there will be ice cream at the Dairy Flo; Saykllys chocolates at Frame Farm; hot soup at Iverson's Home Center; hot cocoa at Great Lakes Credit Union; a hot chocolate bar at the Happy Rock Boutique; apple cider at St. Vincent de Paul; "Grinch Punch" at the Gladstone Deli; candy canes at Dance It Up; treats at the Dew Drop and the Gladstone Professional Suites; and cookies and apple cider from the Gladstone Downtown Development Authority at Brampton Bike & Ski.
In addition to the treats provided at Gladstone businesses, those attending the event will have a chance to warm up while making s'mores at burn barrels placed along Delta Avenue.
Activities for all ages during the Old Fashioned Christmas celebration include live music and a visit from Santa at the Farmer's Market; a live nativity at the Gladstone Electric Department garage; temporary tattoos at D&D Dog Dynamics; a bean bag toss at Iverson's Home Center; ornament decorating at Kiddo's Korner; ornament making at the Gladstone Deli; kids games at Evangelical Covenant Church; a craft and a station for writing letters to Santa at city hall; and wagon rides throughout the downtown.
For those looking to commemorate the night and the start of the holiday season, multiple businesses will have photo opportunities. A photo backdrop will be set up at the Gladstone Professional Suites; a photo booth will be available at Great Lakes Credit Union; and Grinch-themed photo cutouts will be at Happy Rock Boutique.
In addition to the businesses hosting events, the evening is sponsored by the Gladstone DDA, the city of Gladstone, A1 Septic, the Kiwanis, Grace Church, Wards Autobody, Aderman Flooring, Trinity Episcopal Church, Rodney Bricker, the Delta County Chamber of Commerce, and Holiday Gas Station.