Hometown Christmas is Sunday

DAVENPORT - It's beginning to look a lot like Hometown Christmas here. The annual event will be held at Memorial Hall from 4-8 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 26.

This year's free event is being hosted by the Cottonwood Red Hatters, which took it over from the Davenport Women's Association.

Santa Claus will pull up in a fire truck at 5 p.m. and will be available for photos with children, crying or thrilled. The Christmas tree in Pioneer Plaza will be lit by Mayor Brad Sweet at this time after a half-hour of caroling, Red Hatters president Debbie Meserve said.

There will also be a gingerbread house contest, with entries due by 4 p.m. and judging commencing at 6:30 p.m. and winners announced at 7 p.m. Age categories include 0-5, 6-10, 11-15 and 16+ years old.

Other ongoing events will include face painting, raffles, a paper airplane contest, photo booth, Christmas ornament station, arts and crafts station and photo booth, Meserve and Red Hatter Kim Wilson said.

Hot dogs, German sausages and baked potatoes will be available for purchase.

On the charitable side, the Red Hatters will be collecting new or slightly used winter gear for the Jill Freeze Kindness Coat Drive. Those who bring a coat to donate will receive a free raffle ticket.