'Christmas in the Village' planned Saturday in Cobden
A Union County community is planning to host a special holiday season event this weekend.
The second annual "Christmas in the Village" celebration is planned Saturday, Dec. 4, in Cobden.
A wide range of activities are planned throughout the day. The celebration is being promoted by the Cobden Community and Business Association, CCBA, and the Village of Cobden.
Business open houses and Christmas bazaars will be among the highlights of the day's activities.
The day will close with the lighting of a Christmas tree in the park in downtown Cobden.
Activities are planned from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
An old-fashioned store setting will welcome visitors to The Old Feed Store in downtown Cobden.
An open house with a hospitality table featuring Christmas treats will be hosted. A vendor will serve roasted nuts.
A gingerbread house contest will be sponsored by the Cobden High School Beta Club, CCBA and the village.
Prizes will be awarded based upon beauty, creativity and depiction of the Cobden/Alto Pass area.
The gingerbread house contest will have a $5 entry fee. The fee is due when entries are delivered to The Old Feed Store from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 3.
A Christmas wreath contest will be conducted by Cobden Elementary School.
A visit from Santa Claus is scheduled from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Treats will be given to children.
The Cobden Post Office plans to offer a special "Christmas in Cobden" cancellation from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Bazaars featuring decorations, gifts, crafts and homemade treats are planned in the parish hall at St. Joseph's Catholic Church at 304 W. Ash St. and at the Union County Museuem's General Store in downtown Cobden. The bazaars begin at 8 a.m. The Union County Museum also will be open during the day.
Many other activities are planned during "Christmas in the Village."
A "Christmas in the Village" 5K run/walk is planned. The event is being sponsored by the Cobden Runners'/Walkers' Club. Participants will check in at The Old Feed Store, with the event beginning at 10 a.m.
An open house is planned at Stinson Memorial Library's Cobden/Alto Pass branch facility. The open house will be from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The branch library is located at 100 S. Front St., with entry from East Ash Street.
Carolers will be singing during the day.
Horse-drawn surrey rides will be offered from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The rides will be offered by Heisner Surrey Services.
Wagon rides and wreath-making demonstrations are planned.
Wreath-making demonstrations are planned at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. at Monarch Studios and at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. at Fir-Sure Tropical Foliage. Paulette Aronson and Joan Ball will give the demonstrations.
Monarch Studios and Fir-Sure Tropical Foliage both are located on Front Street in Cobden.
The Congregational Church plans to host an open house from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
The Apostolic Lighthouse Church has scheduled an open house and bazaar from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The Illinois Migrant Council's Tech Center and Cherry's Massage plan to offer an open house from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Trees and wreaths will be sold in the downtown park.
A toy drive will be conducted by US Bank.
Southpass Beads plans to have an open house from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The First Baptist Church of Cobden will present a live nativity scene from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
The Cobden High School Art Club and FFA will create a display for the celebration. The display will feature a compact version of "How the Grinch Stole Christmas."
The scene will be displayed in the center of town by the railroad tracks in the park by the community Christmas tree. The scene will be on display throughout the holiday season.
Several local businesses will be open and will participate in the celebration, including the Yellow Moon Cafe, anthill gallery, Monarch Studios, Flamm Orchards, Fir-Sure Tropical Foliage, Fuzzy's Tavern and Wine Trail Antiques.
At 4 p.m., the Apostolic Lighthouse Church will perform Christmas carols in the downtown park pavilion.
The Cobden School band will perform from 4:30 p.m. to 5 p.m.
At 5 p.m., Santa Claus will lead a walk from the Old Feed Store to the lighting of the Christmas tree.
"Christmas in the Village" information with locations and times will be available at all participating establishments and at the Cobden Village Hall on East Maple Street prior to the event.