Blue Christmas Service
6 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 19 at First Christian Church, 1224 Lucinda St., Perry.
The Perry Ministerial Association invites you to join them for their annual Blue Christmas Service. In this holiday season when everything around us is saying be “merry and bright,” it can be easy to feel like you are alone in sorrow or heartache. The ministerial association holds this service each year as a reminder that even in heartache we can find hope, in sorrow we can find grace, and in pain we can find peace. Join them on Thursday Dec. 19 for a candlelight service filled with peace, stillness, and hope. If you would like to attend this service but need transportation, please contact Lou Hoger at 515-570-2970. He will be arranging rides to and from this service.
Las Posadas
6:30-8:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 20 starting at First Christian Church, Perry.
Hispanics United for Perry will hold its annual Las Posadas Celebration on Friday, Dec. 20. Las Posadas is a traditional Hispanic Christmas celebration that reenacts Joseph and Mary’s search to find a room at the inn for the baby Jesus to be born. The celebration will begin with an ecumenical service at 6 p.m. at First Christian Church. After the ceremony, there will be a procession and caroling down 2nd Street. The celebration will wrap up with a dinner starting at 7 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church. A free-will offering will be collected to support HUP scholarships for graduating high school seniors. The event will also feature a special performance from the Los Laureles dance group and a kids activity sponsored by the Perry Public Library. Gift cards sponsored by local businesses will also be raffled off.
Santa at Perry Hy-Vee
10 a.m. – 12 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 21 at Perry Hy-Vee.
Santa will make his annual visit to the Perry Hy-Vee store on Saturday, Dec. 21. Bring your phone or camera and take free photos with Santa.
Troop 127 Cookie Walk
10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 21 at Woodward Social Center.
Perry Scout Troop 127 will host a cookie walk on Saturday, Dec. 21. All proceeds will go to the troop’s High Adventure summer trip to Medicine Mountain in South Dakota.
Merchant Movies
11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 21 at Perry Grand 3 Theatres.
Perry Grand 3 Theatres will be offering free admission to Christmas movies at 11 a.m. on Saturdays through Dec. 21. “The Polar Express” will be the final movie shown on Saturday, Dec. 21.
TUBACHRISTMAS
1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 21 at Perry First United Methodist Church, 1100 3rd St., Perry.
The Perry Fine Arts Series will present TUBACHRISTMAS on Saturday, Dec. 21. Registration is at 10 a.m. and the cost is $10 for participants. Rehearsal is at 10:30 a.m. The coordinator is Blaine Schmidt. Participants are encouraged to dress in holiday clothing. The Perry Fine Arts concerts are free, donations accepted, and open to all. Perry First United Methodist Church is handicapped accessible.
Santa at Brickyard
2-4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 22 at Brickyard Burgers & Brews, 1802 Greene St., Adel.
Santa will be visiting Brickyard on Sunday, Dec. 22. Bring the whole family for some festive fun, holiday cheer, and a chance to meet the big guy himself. Free hot chocolate for the kids, and don’t forget your wish list and your cameras to capture the magic!
The LifeSaver Express
8 a.m. – 12 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 24 at Perry Hy-Vee Bloodmobile, 1215 141st St., Perry.
This holiday season, hop aboard the LifeSaver Express and make a difference that truly matters. Step into LifeServe’s festive bus, donate blood and soak up some holiday cheer with cookies, hot cocoa, holiday games, music and classic movies. The jolly LifeSaving team will be decked out in their favorite ugly sweaters, Santa hats and holiday bling, ready to make your donation experience merry and bright. To schedule an appointment, call 800.287.4903 or visit lifeserve.info/schedule.
Annual Christmas Dinner
11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 25 at Perry Elks Lodge, 2823 Willis Ave.
The annual Christmas dinner will be held on Wednesday, Dec. 25 at the Perry Elks Lodge. The meal will include ham, turkey, pork loin, mashed potatoes and gravy, green bean casserole, dressing, rolls, salads and desserts along with to-go packages of cookies. While attendees can enjoy a free in-person meal, there are also delivery options. Those looking for deliveries can call the Elks Lodge at 515-465-3791 around 10 a.m. on Dec. 25. A large order for take-out or delivery should be called in early if possible.
Voas Owl Prowl
1-3 p.m. Friday, Dec. 27 at Voas Nature Area, 19286 Lexington Road, Minburn.
The common owls of Iowa can be located at night by mimicking their calls. The uncommon owls are found during the day roosting in cedar trees. We will be venturing off-trail looking for pellets, whitewash, and feathers. The hope is that we will be able to experience our own “Eye to Eye Epiphany.” Registration is required for this free program through DCCB’s Eventbrite page.
A Night at Forest Park Museum
6-8 p.m. Monday, Dec. 30 at Forest Park Museum, 14581 K Ave., Perry.
Forest Park Museum will be open for a cold winter evening! Enjoy the many exhibits telling Dallas County’s history and explore the activities available along the way. This will be a self-guided experience. Families encouraged! Register through DCCB’s Eventbrite page.
End of the Year Hike
9:30-10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 31 at Voas Nature Area, 19286 Lexington Road, Minburn.
Stretch your legs on the last morning hike of the year. Breathe in the winter prairie, look for animal signs, and enjoy whatever nature decides to do that day. A relaxing hike to end the year.
Noon Year’s Eve Party
11 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 31 at Roy R. Estle Memorial Library, Dallas Center.
Celebrate the incoming New Year with Roy R. Estle Memorial Library on Tuesday, Dec. 31. Families and kids of all ages are invited for games, food, and fun ending with a countdown and balloon drop at noon!
Pattee Cafe Celebrates New Year’s Eve
5-8 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 31 at Hotel Pattee, Perry.
Kick off your New Year’s celebration with dinner at the Hotel Pattee! Call (515)465-3511 to make your reservations.
New Year’s Eve Party at Perry Elks Lodge
8 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 31 at Perry Elks Lodge, 2823 Willis Ave., Perry.
Perry Elks Lodge No. 407 will be celebrating the New Year with the ever popular band Rukkus and special guest Feedback. Tickets are currently available at the lodge for $20 in advance or $25 at the door. Tickets may also be purchased at Perry Fareway, from Karen at 515-720-5254 or through Venmo @perryelks. Tickets include both bands, appetizers, drink specials, champagne toast and more. For more information, visit the Perry, Iowa Elks #407 Facebook page.
Festival of Trees
Through Jan. 4 at Carnegie Library Museum, Perry.
This holiday season, the Carnegie Library Museum will host the 10th Annual Festival of Trees. This Perry tradition began in 2014 with just 12 trees and a team of enthusiastic volunteers. Since then, participation has grown to include not only a Carnegie Library filled with beautiful trees and creative displays, but also community activities, such as coloring for kids, scavenger hunts, and a handmade quilt raffle. The public is invited to enjoy this free festival during open Carnegie Library hours, excluding holiday hours, from Nov. 23 to Jan. 4. For questions, contact the Carnegie at 515-465-7713.
To submit events to be included in the Around the County round-up, email news@adelnews.com or news@theperrychief.com.
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Things to do this weekend in Dallas County: Las Posadas and Santa