PHOTOS BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER AND SOREN M. PETERSON

TRAER – The 2025 Holiday Happenings Lighted Parade illuminated Traer’s downtown from end to end last Friday evening as part of the Chamber of Commerce’s annual two-day holiday spectacular.

As has become tradition, ahead of the parade – which trundled down snow-covered Second Street just after 6:30 p.m. amid a cold wind and some light snow-snow mix — the Traer Public Library’s Kupka Cultural Center was brimming with anticipation as folks eagerly awaited a performance by the Union Carolers. But, alas, the carolers were delayed, leading librarian/programming director Laurie Schafer to improvise by inviting retired Pastor Mark Keefer to help her lead the packed room in singing Christmas carols. The duo more than earned a place on the ‘Nice List’ this year with their rousing performance which included an audience-participatory version of “The Twelve Days of Christmas.”

As the clock neared 6:30 p.m. – and with the Union Carolers still unaccounted for – Schafer urged the audience to head outside for the parade. As luck would have it, the high school a cappella ensemble – now in their 23rd season – appeared just prior to the parade’s start. The group performed from the library’s balcony overlooking Second Street as the parade passed by beneath and with the audience gathered on the sidewalk below.

Parade winners this year included North Tama High School student Myah Finzen and her adorable, lights-bedecked mini mule Steve (Best Lit Animal); AWE Auto Service/Napa Auto Parts (Overall Best); and Liqui-Grow (Best Lit).

Also Friday evening, the Traer Historical Museum hosted several holiday-themed collections for public viewing as part of its holiday open house, including Michelle Podhajsky’s Santa collection, Donna Kersten’s angel collection, and Patty Seuss’s snowman collection. Additional displays included ‘Department 56 Christmas In The City’ items collected by Pat Kadrmas.

PHOTOS BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER AND SOREN M. PETERSON

Next door to the museum, the Traer Theatre readied for its highly-anticipated ‘Classic Christmas Movie Weekend’ which featured free showings Friday and Saturday evening of “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation”; “Jack Frost” on Saturday morning; and a double helping of “A Christmas Story” Sunday afternoon and evening. The movie weekend was sponsored by The Junkyard Bar, Channing’s Ice Cream, Chelsea Savings Bank, MEMBERS1st Community Credit Union, Farmers Savings Bank & Trust, and Hometown Foods.

PHOTOS BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER AND SOREN M. PETERSON

PHOTOS BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER AND SOREN M. PETERSON

PHOTOS BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER AND SOREN M. PETERSON

PHOTOS BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER AND SOREN M. PETERSON

PHOTOS BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER AND SOREN M. PETERSON

PHOTOS BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER AND SOREN M. PETERSON

PHOTOS BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER AND SOREN M. PETERSON

PHOTOS BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER AND SOREN M. PETERSON

PHOTOS BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER AND SOREN M. PETERSON

PHOTOS BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER AND SOREN M. PETERSON

PHOTOS BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER AND SOREN M. PETERSON