Christmas Comes to Arcadia Valley Nov. 29 - Dec. 8

"Christmas in the Valley" Bigger and Better This Season

Santa is coming to Arcadia Valley in Southeast Missouri and he will find a week long series of events celebrating his arrival. Starting on Black Friday, November 29 to Sunday, December 8, there will be free and affordable fun choices for the whole family.

In the past, "Christmas in the Valley" focused on businesses on Main Street in Ironton during one weekend with the highlight being the Christmas parade. This year, the Chamber of Commerce and River Valley Region Association have partnered to get the whole Valley to share the holiday spirit.

Friday, November 29

On the first day there will be the traditional Open House on Ironton's Main Street and Lighting of the Iron County Courthouse beginning at 5pm. "Everyone is welcome to see the historic building electrified with Christmas lights and spend 'Black Friday' with local shop owners," said Chamber board member, Karen Seifert. The Chamber is also hosting "Christmas Caroling, Cocoa, Smores & Chili" in the Pocket Park at 6pm.

A new addition to the first day at 7pm is the free "Family Bingo & Bunco" with an affordable optional dinner at Thee Abbey Kitchen in the Arcadia Academy. "Katherine and I have always wanted to do a game night. This was the perfect opportunity," owner Darwin Rouse said. Children are welcome to play a Christmas themed Bingo game while the adults play the dice game Bunco.

Saturday, November 30

Another new addition is "Christmas Crafts & Storytime" at the Ozark Regional Library. There will be an open house between 2-4pm. "All ages are welcome to make some gifts and listen to 'Twas the Night Before Christmas," youth librarian Michelle Swane said. "We are excited to partner with other community organizations to do these kinds of events."

Monday, December 2 to Friday, December 6

In an exciting "12 Days of Christmas in the Valley GPS Hunt," the Valley will be taken by a GPS storm. "This hunt is similar to the 'geocaching' fad in which people use GPS coordinates to locate 'hidden treasure','" said Dr. Melissa Miles McCarter, "Christmas in the Valley" organizer and RVRA board member. "But in our hunt, people find one of the '12 Days of Christmas' symbols at twelve different businesses in the Valley." More information about how to participate in the hunt and win prizes can be found at arcadiavalleychristmas.com/gps.

Saturday, December 7

The next addition this year is the Self-Guided Downtown Ironton Tour from 3-5pm, with maps available at businesses on Main Street that afternoon. Spearheaded by Our Town Tomorrow's Carol Kelsheimer, the tour will feature various buildings decorated in Downtown Ironton and at the Arcadia Academy. A few of the buildings are actually empty. Susan Kline, one of the community artists explained, "Painting the windows might attract more attention and help buildings sell on Main Street."

The traditional Main Street Christmas Parade is also bigger and better this year, beginning at 6pm in Downtown Ironton and ending at the Academy. "The parade used to end at the Academy, so this is a great opportunity to revive that tradition," according to owner Darwin Rouse. Another twist for the parade this year is that pets are welcome in lighted floats. Santa will be waiting at the Academy Gym ready to take pictures for a nominal fee.

Capping off Saturday's holiday celebration will be a "Contra Dance & Dinner" after the parade at the Arcadia Academy Gym. The Contra Dance will be called by local husband and wife Jim Hemphill and Mariah Fabry. They describe the style as, "a little like square dancing, but in long lines." Dancers will be given instruction at the beginning. "If you can walk and count to 8, you'll have a great time!"

A spaghetti dinner will be provided by Thee Abbey Kitchen. This event will also be a fundraiser for local music student Dustin Dunn. Donations are encouraged and there will be a silent auction.

Sunday, December 8

Families are invited to a showing of "Miracle on 34th Street" at Thee Abbey Kitchen at 3pm. Hosted by the River Valley Region Association, there will be free popcorn and prizes for the "12 Days of Christmas GPS Hunt" will be given out. "We have wanted to show a movie at the Academy for a long time," said Dr. William McCarter, RVRA President. "It's a test run for when we premiere the ABC show Resurrection on March 9, 2014."

The complete "Christmas in the Valley" schedule and GPS Hunt information can be found at arcadiavalleychristmas.com. Questions can be directed to info@arcadiavalleychristmas.com.

Sponsors for the week long series of events include: Arcadia Valley Chamber of Commerce, Jim Scaggs, Bearcat Getaway, Look at That Shirt, Bryson's Funeral Service, Ozark Federal Savings & Loan, Bert's Corner, Kip DeVore, Daylilies of the Valley, The Arcadia Academy, Parkland Pharmacy, Great Southern Bank, Brian Parker Attorney at Law, Arcadia Valley Sporting Goods, Denise Bates, Dragon-Fly Inn, Shepherd Mountain Inn, Fisher Furniture, Ben Painter, Arcadia Valley Soap, First State Community Bank, Beyond Bling, 21 Car Wash, The Mountain Echo, Friends of Ft. Davidson, RVRA, Plain & Fancy B&B, Ryno's, Darrin Strange Auto, and Naomi Allen's Essential Saltes & Notions.