T-R PHOTO BY LANA BRADSTREAM Kerry and Doug Whitmore show the setting where kids can get their picture with Santa Claus during their Riverbottom Farms Country Christmas at the Central Iowa Fairgrounds. The event will last until Dec. 8.

The love of Christmas has created a new event for Marshalltown.

As people walk inside the Pavilion building at Central Iowa Fairgrounds, they are greeted with rows of fresh Christmas trees; handmade items; meats, baked and canned goods utilizing natural practices; and more. It is all courtesy of Riverbottom Farms and owners Doug Whitmore and his wife Kerry.

“We are trying to establish something for the community,” Whitmore said. “It’s going to be three or four years before our [Christmas] trees are ready to harvest, but we thought this would be a good way for us to start getting involved with the public and building it.”

Plants have been grown naturally and animals raised humanely on Riverbottom Farms for the last 10 years, but Christmas trees were always something Whitmore wanted to get into.

“I love the holidays,” he said. “I think it’s a time when people are more compassionate, kind and thoughtful. It’s a time when we’re sharing. It’s a time to be a part of it and the community. It’s a great opportunity. From a Christian perspective, it’s also a chance to glorify God, and it’s all about that in the long run. [It was a way we could] do that and use our gifts in a way that brings it all together.”

Previously, they were taking products to farmers markets. However, Whitmore said it was difficult to transport everything they had to a market, and knew a bigger event would make more sense. Not only are they able to share their Christmas spirit, but also provide the other items made at Riverbottom Farms.

Since Riverbottom’s trees are not ready yet, other producers were contacted to ensure there were fresh Christmas trees for this year’s event. He contacted more than 200 Midwest wholesalers to find someone who would be able to supply enough trees.

“It’s hard to purchase them like this anymore,” Whitmore said. “I ended up getting connected with a grower by Minneapolis and another grower here in Iowa. We didn’t want to get too far away. We wanted the trees to be fresh, healthy and good quality.”

When the Riverbottom trees are mature and ready to cut, he said it will be convenient for Marshalltown residents to go to the Country Christmas and get their tree. That is something Whitmore believes will attract people.

“It’s getting harder to draw a lot of people out to the tree farms,” he said. “It’s not like it used to be. You took the kids out and experienced picking the tree. Everything is about convenience anymore. I’ve heard from a lot of tree farms, it’s hard to draw people out there. We thought to set up a venue that is more appealing and accommodating.”

The goal is to make Country Christmas an annual tradition for Marshalltown. By providing activities and other things to buy besides trees at the Country Christmas, Whitmore hopes to create a holiday experience for families.

“That would be the biggest thing for me, if we can get it going,” he said.

This weekend will also feature vendors with handmade, Christmas-related items. However, Country Christmas is more than just an event for people to purchase holiday foods and gifts. Santa Claus and his elves will be there to take photos with the kids and hear their wish lists. This weekend there will be food demonstrations, crafts and activities in the Activities Building and a gospel quartet will make an appearance on Saturday night.

Four homesteading seminars will be provided at 6 p.m. on four different days. On Monday, the basics will be covered; Dec. 3, backyard chickens; Dec. 4, backyard gardening and; Dec. 5, canning.

“We’re trying to get back to traditions, and the vintage time of Christmas,” Whitmore said. “I think we’re all trying to find our way and figure out what we trust, what don’t we trust, what we believe in and what we don’t. So, I think homesteading is a new thing. The younger generations are really trying to figure things out. Hopefully we can answer some questions there.”

EVENT INFORMATION:

Name: Country Christmas

Location: Central Iowa Fairgrounds, Pavilion building

Address: 1308 E. Olive St.

Dates: Yesterday (Nov. 25) through Dec. 8. The event will not be open on Thanksgiving.

Hours: Noon to 6 p.m., yesterday (Nov. 25) through tomorrow; 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Friday through Sunday; Noon to 7 p.m., Dec. 2 through Dec. 6; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Dec. 7 and Dec. 8.

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Contact Lana Bradstream at 641-753-6611 ext. 210

or lbradstream@timesrepublican.com.