TRAER – Mark your calendars for Friday, Dec. 5, and Saturday, Dec. 6, for Traer’s annual Holiday Happenings! The Traer Chamber of Commerce will once again be partnering with the Traer Historical Museum to host holiday-themed events throughout the community including at the museum which will be decked out for the season.

Friday, Dec. 5 happenings

On Friday, Dec. 5, the Traer Public Library will host an open house from 1-5 p.m. Stop in and sign up for a holiday gift basket. The popular Union Carolers will once again be on stage downstairs in the library’s Kupka Cultural Center beginning at 6:10 p.m. The library is also sponsoring a Story Walk in local business windows from Nov. 26 through the New Year.

As is tradition, Santa’s mailbox will be located near the Winding Stairs beginning Nov. 28 through Dec. 15 for children to mail letters to the North Pole.

The Traer Historical Museum will open Friday for visitors to view the children’s ornaments on display as well as Christmas displays by local collectors. Walking tacos will be served inside the museum beginning at 5 p.m. (until sold out), alongside face painting and balloon art from 5:30-7:30 p.m.

The highlight of the evening for many folks, the lighted holiday parade will set off along downtown Second Street at 6:30 p.m. Parade winners will be announced at The Junkyard Bar at 8:30 p.m.

Following the parade, an ice sculpture artist will carve L I V E near the Winding Stairs beginning at 7 p.m. Trolley rides through Taylor Park will take place from 7-8:30 p.m. and Santa will be visiting his workshop on Second Street from 7-8:30 p.m. as well.

All day long from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., participating downtown businesses will be open for shopping, raffles, and more.

Saturday, Dec. 6 happenings

Participating businesses will again be open for shopping from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., while a craft and vendor fair plus cookie sale will take place at the Traer Memorial Building from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

In tandem with the craft show, the museum will be open for a warm drink and checking out the holiday displays. From noon to 2 p.m., the museum will host free cookie decorating – children are invited to frost a holiday cookie to eat or take home.

Santa will be reading at the library (with cookies!) beginning at 10:15 a.m. For those hungry for a bit more than cookies, the Traer Lions Club will host a soup lunch at the Memorial Building from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. – proceeds earmarked toward community projects.

At 11 a.m. Saturday, the Traer Theatre is hosting a FREE kids movie sponsored by Chelsea Savings Bank along with FREE movie snacks sponsored by MEMBERS1st Community Credit union, Farmers Savings Bank & Trust, and Hometown Foods.

Santa will again be in his downtown workshop from noon to 2 p.m.

At 5 p.m., the Traer Golf and Country Club will host an ugly holiday sweater party.