The annual Christmas in Kalona celebration is returning on Saturday, December 3rd. Kalona Chamber of Commerce Director Jodi Covington says people can find their old favorites and some new activities during the day. In addition to events such as walking stockings, carriage rides, tour of churches, and pictures with Santa, attendees will be treated for the first time to chamber business bingo and a Christmas market craft tent. For bingo, people can get a card to fill out by visiting or buying specific items at the participating businesses, and when they get a bingo they can return it to the Chamber of Commerce building for a door prize. The market craft tent will run from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. on the KCTC lot, and hot chocolate from the Kalona Coffee House will be available.

Covington feels an event like this is a good way to showcase the town. She says, “I think it brings people into Kalona that may not have visited in awhile, or maybe new people. It’s also important to keep our community growing and thriving. I think it’s very important to put on events like this because it’s a fun time of year to do something in your community. But it’s also a good time to shop locally, get some great crafts, visit new places, and shop around.” There are activities throughout the downtown area Saturday, and they run from 9 a.m. – 8 p.m. For more information, listen to the In Touch with Southeast Iowa interview with Covington at KCIIRadio.com.