T-R FILE PHOTO - The annual Old-Fashioned Christmas on Main celebration returns to State Center on Friday.

STATE CENTER — The State Center Promotions Committee wants to welcome everyone to the 25th Annual Old-Fashioned Christmas on Main in State Center. The date is Dec. 6, and the committee is excited to share this year’s events.

Some of our local businesses put out quite a spread for the holidays. You can stop by for refreshments, which include coffee, punch, cookies, pastries or candy at any of the many open houses.

New events are planned for this year beginning with a Wine and Art Tour, sponsored by Partner Communication and SCDA. Tickets are $15, and will be available at Central State Bank beginning November 12th. Tour locations are Jacobson Portrait Studio; Interstate Insurance/Joan Postel; Garry’s Barber Shop; Brian’s Collision; Pink Petal; Hair Garden; My Dinosaur Dreams Flower Co.; State Center Fitness & Laundry Refined Air-Rainbow Vacuum; and Hillers Legal, PC. Patrons will start at the State Center Development office, picking up their wine bags and wristbands. If you love the wine you’ve tasted, bottles will be available for sale at Hometown Foods and Blue Liquor & Tobacco Store. Both stores have coupons in your wine bag.

For all chili lovers a traveling Chili Cook-off is taking place at the following businesses; Jacobson Portrait Studio; Interstate Insurance/Joan Postel; Garry’s Barber Shop; Brian’s Collision; Hillers Legal, PC; Pink Petal; Hair Garden; Road Hog; My Dinosaur Dreams Flower Co; State Center Fitness & Laundry; C&C Rustic Furniture; Refined Air-Rainbow Vacuum; Starry Grove Bakery; Mustaine’s Towing (located in SC Chiropractic). The sponsor for this event is Marshall County Farm Bureau.

Santa and Mrs. Claus are flying in for a special visit at Watson’s Historic Grocery Store. Santa will be ready for all the children’s lists, and his Elves and special helpers will be wandering the streets with goodies. Make sure you’re not on the “Naughty List”!

While waiting to see Santa at Watson’s children can participate in the first ever Children’s Christmas Stroll. Stop at the State Center Development office and get a gift bag and stop at the following businesses; Starry Grove Bakery; UnityPoint Health; Hillers Legal, PC; Interstate Insurance/Joan Postel; Garry’s Barber Shop; Refined Air-Rainbow Vacuum; Jacobson Portrait Studio; Pink Petal; Brian’s Collision; Hair Garden; State Center Fitness & Laundry; My Dinosaur Dreams Flower Co.; Blue Liquor; Road Hog; LaCasa Maya2; Mustaine’s Towing (located in SC Chiropractic). This event is sponsored by Mitchell Family Funeral Home.

Be prepared for winter driving with an emergency blanket for your car, compliments of Mustaine’s Towing. Jon and Denise Mustaine will be located at State Center Family Chiropractic, 114 W. Main St. passing them out.

Central State Bank would like everyone to enjoy the sweet sounds of Christmas by sponsoring the Brocal Chords, a musical group from Drake University. These young men will be caroling up and down Main Street starting at 6:30 p.m.

Roxanna Bodie will be on hand to do some face painting located at 118 E. Main St. (Council chambers, lower level). Stop by, warm up and play bingo with your kids. This is a free event.

Denny Dostal will be on hand with his traditional trolley and will escort Santa to Main Street and then give rides for patrons of all ages. This is made possible by Mediacom.

Holiday Craft and Food vendors will be located at Mitchell’s West Marshall Chapel with holiday baked goods and crafts, opening at noon. Contact Valeria at 515-290-3919 if you want on the vendor list. The St. Joseph’s Catholic Church CCW ladies have a variety of cheeseballs for sale and will join the vendors at Mitchell’s.

State Center’s new restaurant LaCasa Maya2 will be open from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. Starry Grove Sweet Treats located at 101 E. Main Street, serving breakfast, lunch, baked items, ice cream and coffee. Be sure to stop in and welcome them to the community. Food trucks will also be available.

Warm up with a s’more and cozy up to the fire pits manned by the State Center Fire Department.

The 2nd annual “Pack the Police Car” will be held in front of Central State Bank. Food items collected will be distributed to West Marshall families in need.

A spaghetti dinner will be served by the First Presbyterian Church, from 5 to 7 p.m., located upstairs at the city hall community room. There is an elevator to the upper level.

Volunteers are needed this year, so please call Valeria, Kristy, or Julie to see how you can be a part of our special event. Valeria 515-290-3919, Kristy -641-750-7680, Julie – 641-751-0702.