Holiday Fest is this weekend in Jackson

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JACKSON — The Christmas spirit will fill the air as the annual Holiday Fest takes place this weekend in Jackson.

New to the festival this year is a craft and vendor expo which will be in the old gym at Riverside Elementary.

“We have a wide variety of things like purses, jewelry, toys, cook ware and photography books,” explained Pam Heser, executive director for the Jackson Area Chamber of Commerce. “We have 27 home-based or craft vendors.”

While adults scour the vendor booths, children can participate in Santa’s Workshop where 4-H’ers will be helping them make gifts for the season.

“We’ll have a lot of hands-on crafts for the kids,” Heser said.

Adults who participate in the poker run stand a chance of winning $400.

“They can purchase cards and get them stamped at local businesses,” Heser said. “They will receive wild cards and the person with the best hand wins.”

There will be a free showing of the movie “Rio” on both Saturday and Sunday at the Historic State Theatre. Representatives from the Angel Tree organization will be collecting unwrapped gifts — which Heser explained will benefit less fortunate children in the area.

“We have a lot of sponsors every year — whether it’s for the movie or for fireworks,” Heser said. “It looks like the weather will stay nice so we want to welcome people to come on over.”

The Holiday Fest schedule follows:

Saturday

Free hot cocoa throughout the day at Bridget’s Bucksnorts

9 a.m.: Santa’s Workshop, Riverside Elementary cafeteria; Craft & Vendor Expo, Riverside Elementary old gym; Pioneerland Gun Show, Jackson National Guard Armory

9:30–11:30 a.m.: Story time, Riverside Elementary music room; 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.: Visit with Santa, Santa Land in Festival Park

Noon: JCC Carolers, clock tower, downtown Jackson

1 p.m.: Free movie “Rio”, Historic State Theatre

1 – 4 p.m.: Free swimming for children under 13, JCC High School indoor pool

2 p.m.: Opry Christmas Jackson Style, JCC Performing Arts Center;

3:30-4:30 p.m.: Kids’ Christmas Bingo (bring an item for the food shelf), American Legion Hall

4 p.m.: Free soup and breadsticks; downtown Jackson

5:30 p.m. Holiday Fest Light Parade, Second Street (After the parade, there will be a drawing for two children sleds and prizes for parade entries)

6 p.m.: Fireworks, Jackson City Hall

7:30 p.m. Opry Christmas Jackson Style, JCC Performing Arts Center

Sunday

9 a.m. – 3 p.m. Pioneerland Gun Show, Jackson National Guard Armory

1 p.m.: Free movie “Rio”, Historic State Theatre

2 p.m.: Many Voice Choir, Our Savior’s Lutheran

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