Missouri Winter

and Holiday
Guide

November 26, 2020

 TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. 2. Northwest Missouri

03
35
29

1 Northwest Missouri 3. 4. Northeast Missouri

07
70

2 Northeast Missouri

3 6. 5.
Kansas City

4
Kansas City
Columbia

11
5 St. Louis
7.
44

6 Southwest Missouri

7 Southeast Missouri
Central Missouri
19
St. Louis

29
Southwest Missouri
39
Southeast Missouri

42
Missouri Winter and Holiday Guide
November 26, 2020
Supervising editor: Jeanne Abbott
Page designer: Hannah Kirchwehm
Graphics: Annie Jennemann
Writers: Tia Alphonse, Catherine Burton, Jared
Gendron, Makalah Hardy, Drew Hofbauer, Dani
Major, Kayla Szymanski, Abbey Tauchen
Copyeditors: Kayley Allen, Anna Peterson

2 // November 26, 2020 // Columbia Missourian

 NORTHWEST

35
29
3
1
1 Schweizer Orchards — St. Joseph
2 Holiday with friends — Arrow Rock
1.
3 Polar Express PJ Party — St. Joseph
2. 2
29
35
3.

Columbia Missourian // November 26, 2020 // 3


Robidoux Resident Theatre to show
favorite classic holiday movies
St. Joseph
By Dani Major
news@columbiamissourian.com
The Robidoux Resident Theatre
in St. Joseph has a full calendar of
classic holiday movies this season.
Showings of “A Christmas Story,” “It’s
a Wonderful Life” and a special “The
Polar Express” viewing party will
take place on weekends in November
and December.
Showings for “A Christmas Story”
will be the last weekend of November
and the first weekend of December,
Nov. 27-29 and Dec. 4-6.
The weekend showing of “It’s a
Wonderful Life” will be Dec. 11-13,
and a one-time viewing of “The Polar
Express” as a sing-along pajama party
will be Dec. 19.
Hot cocoa, pajamas and fun await
those who plan to visit the Robidoux
Theatre for the showing of “The Polar
Express.”
Visitors young and old are encour-
aged to come in their pajamas to
watch and sing along with the classic
movie. At the building entrance, they
will be met by Robidoux train conduc-
tors to receive their train tickets.
Before the showing, dining car serv-
ers will stage a pre-show hot cocoa
Schweizer Orchards offers Christmas
trees, homegrown produce and more
By Dani Major
news@columbiamissourian.com
At Schweizer Orchards in St. Joseph
has a number of interactive activities
for visitors during the holiday season.
Starting right after Thanksgiving,
they can take a hayride into the fields
during weekends to choose and cut
down their own Christmas trees. There
are white and Scotch pines, as well as
pre-cut trees to purchase.
Also open to the public is a market
4 // November 26, 2020 // Columbia Missourian
The Robidoux Resident Theatre in St. Joseph has a full calendar of classic
holiday movies this season. Showings of “A Christmas Story,” “It’s a
Wonderful Life” and a special “The Polar Express” viewing party will take
place on weekends in November and December.
party for younger passengers before
their virtual trip to the North Pole.
“A Christmas Story” and “It’s a Won-
derful Life” will also include a dinner
buffet before the showings and follow
strict COVID-19 sanitation guidelines
with an assortment of country kitchen
treats and gifts, such as homemade
jams, kitchen appliances and utensils,
cookbooks and other items. Beverag-
es and refreshments are also for sale
while customers wait for their trees to
be wrapped and loaded onto vehicles.
Wholesale production and packag-
ing of fruits and vegetables from the
orchard begins during the summer,
and packaging the wide variety of
apples grown on site lasts until the
Christmas tree season begins.
Robidoux Resident Theatre
to keep patrons safe.
Ticket prices can be found on the
Robidoux Resident Theatre website
and vary depending on the location of
the seats and the show.
The Robidoux has continued to put
In early December, the focus shifts
to the trees, along with making home-
made wreaths and other natural
decorations, including grave mounds.
Customers can choose from multiple
sizes of wreaths and have them custom
decorated in the store, or take home
plain ones to decorate themselves.
Orchard hours are 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Mondays through Saturdays and 1 to
5 p.m. Sundays. Recipes and a harvest
schedule can also be found on the Sch-
weizer Orchards website.
NORTHWEST
If You Go
What: “A Christmas Story”
When: Nov. 27-29, Dec. 4-6;
7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday;
2 p.m. Sunday. Dinner at 6:30 p.m.
Friday and Saturday; 12:30 p.m.
Sunday
What: “It’s a Wonderful Life”
When: Dec. 11-13; 7:30 p.m.
Friday and Saturday; 2 p.m.
Sunday. Dinner at 6:30 p.m. Friday
and Saturday; 12:30 p.m. Sunday
What: “The Polar Express”
When: 7:30 p.m. Dec. 19
Where: 615 S. 10th St., St Joseph,
MO 64501
Cost: Varies with seating choice.
on live theater since the pandemic
by taking precautions to provide a
contactless experience, early entry
to keep the lobby clear, socially dis-
tanced seating, reduced and efficient
staff operating numbers and other
routine sanitary measures.
If You Go
What: Schweizer Orchards
Christmas tree farm and country
store
Where: 5455 SE State Route FF, St.
Joseph
When: Christmas tree selection
begins Nov. 27; free rides to the
fields on Saturdays and Sundays
are offered in December only.
Cost: Varies by product
Contact: 816-232-3999;
schweizerorchards@hotmail.com
Details: On weekends, customers
take a hayride into the fields to
choose and cut down their own.
Columbia Missourian // November 26, 2020 // 5
 NORTHWEST

Arrow Rock opens up the village

for shows, shopping, dining and more

Village of Arrow Rock Village of Arrow Rock

Arrow Rock is one of Missouri’s most historic sites, a landmark to settlers Visitors to Arrow Rock can stroll through town to shop for holiday gifts,
traveling West and a stop on the Santa Fe Trail. Its historic shops and homes including vintage handmade boutique items, hand-dyed yarns and other original
are reminders of life in the 19th century. crafts from area artisans.

Arrow Rock
By Dani Major
news@columbiamissourian.com
Arrow Rock is one of Missouri’s
most historic sites, a landmark to set-
tlers traveling West and a stop on the
Santa Fe Trail. Its historic shops and
homes are reminders of life in the 19th
century.
A prominent feature of the village
is the Arrow Rock Lyceum Theatre,
which will present Charles Dickens’ “A
Christmas Carol” virtually this year
due to COVID-19 restrictions.
The show will be staged Dec. 22 and
23. Reservations for a virtual seat can
be purchased through a minimum
online donation of $10 or more on the
Lyceum Theatre website.
For an additional donation of $25,
ticket holders can receive a package of
three homemade scented candles from
Fiddlehead. The candles are incorpo-
rated into the show as a smell-o-vision
feature.
Visitors will also be able to stroll
through town to shop for holiday gifts.
They can shop in Arrow Rock
Antiques & Mercantile for vintage
handmade boutique gifts, for instance,
or visit A Grand Yarn to find organic
hand-dyed artisan yarns for crafting.
They can also choose from a variety
of restaurants and cafes that feature
country home cooking, such as the
J. Huston Tavern, then take a walk
to Badger’s Hideaway Eatery & Ice
Cream Shop for homemade premium
ice cream.

If You Go
What: “A Christmas Carol,” Arrow
Rock Lyceum Theatre; shopping and
other holiday events in the village
Where: 716 Main St., Arrow Rock
(detailed directions can be found on
the Arrow Rock website)
When: “A Christmas Carol,” virtual
performance Dec. 22 and 23; for
merchant hours, call each shop via
the Arrow Rock village website.
Cost: Minimum $10 donation for “A
Christmas Carol” tickets
Contact: 660-837-3231; email: Susan
McDanie, susan@arrowrockvillage.
com, website: arrowrock.org.
Details: Shows, shopping and dining
in Arrow Rock, a national historic
landmark.
Village of Arrow Rock
A variety of restaurants and antique shops line the streets of Arrow Rock.

6 // November 26, 2020 // Columbia Missourian

 NORTHEAST
2.
1

2.
2
3

1 Miracle on 34th Street-Kirksville

4.
2 Victorian Festival of Christmas-Hannibal
3 Gingerbread House Contest-Hannibal
70

159 Years of History In One Place

Stars and Stripes, the newspaper for men and women
in the U.S. military, started in Bloomfield, MO, with the
publication of the first edition on November 9, 1861.

VISITORS WILL EXPERIENCE :

• 7,500 square feet of exhibit space
• Timeline Exhibits showcasing editions that
span from the Civil War to the Iraq War
• Archives containing Stars and Stripes
newspapers
• Current copies of Stars and Stripes
• A 12 ½ minute video featuring former
Stripes correspondents Andy Rooney and
Steve Kroft
• A Vast Historical Library

The National Stars and Stripes Museum and Library

17377 Stars and Stripes Way, Bloomfield, MO 63825
www.starsandstripesmuseumlibrary.org
Columbia Missourian // November 26, 2020 // 7
‘Miracle on 34th Street’ becomes a radio production
Kirksville
By Tia Alphonse
news@columbiamissourian.com
Curtain Call Theatre in Kirksville is
going digital as it flashes back to the
1940s for a radio performance of “Mir-
acle on 34th Street.”
This holiday season, the theatre com-
pany plans to broadcast its Christmas
on the Radio series via Patreon. People
in the community can subscribe on
the website to get access to broadcasts
they can watch live or at a later date.
“Miracle on 34th Street” is the
story of a department store Santa who
claims to be the real deal. Kris Krin-
gle’s claims put him on trial to defend
his mental health and his identity. Kirksville
With the performance, Curtain Call
adapts one of the most famous Christ-
mas movies of all time for the radio but
also gives its audience retro visuals.
In previous years Curtain Call has
produced radio dramas for the Christ-
mas season, inviting the Kirksville
community and those in the surround-
ing areas to view their performances
live from the studio. Curtain Call Theatre
They set up the studio and the stage Curtain Call Theatre in Kirksville flashes back to the 1940s in its radio performances.
as it would have looked in the 1940s
and 1950s to fit a time period where
audiences showed up for live radio community. McIntosh said the idea of
performances. The cast also dressed
in costumes reflecting the time period
producing radio specials felt like a nat-
ural way to do that.
If You Go
— not their characters, said Phil McIn- Curtain Call plans to create a series What: “Miracle on 34th Street” When: Dec. 11
tosh, a member of Curtain Call’s board of radio programming leading up to the
of directors. Where: Radio performance Details: The performance will
Christmas special.
After the production company closed To get more details on the radio spe- by the Curtain Call Theatre, take place on Patreon for live
its doors in March due to the pandem- cials, go to www.curtaincalltheatre. Kirksville viewing or watching later.
ic, it searched for ways to raise money org or check their Facebook page for
and continue producing drama for the updates.

Hannibal shops bring back Living Windows displays

Hannibal
By Tia Alphonse
news@columbiamissourian.com
Shops in Hannibal have started to
plan their holiday window displays.
As part of the city’s Victorian Fes-
tival of Christmas, store owners are
preparing to bring their storefronts to
life with live exhibitions. The Living
Windows event will be from 5 to 8 p.m.
Dec. 12.
Over the years, the event has evolved
into one of playful competition among
the local businesses.
“We try to keep [the display themes]
hush, so it’s a big reveal of what’s going
to be in all the windows,” said Katy
Welch, owner of Java Jive and member
of the Historic Hannibal Marketing
Council.
Welch said the shops have live win-
dow displays where they create “whole
sets and scenes” and act out different
characters under the theme.
In the past, she said, some shops
have recreated “Charlie and the Choc-
olate Factory,” “The Wizard of Oz” and
“Alice in Wonderland,” to name a few.
For the event, the city closes Main
Street to traffic, allowing pedestrians
to walk freely through the displays.
Due to the pandemic, many of the
usual food vendors have been canceled,
and there will be no horse-drawn car-
riage rides.
For more information, go to visithan-
nibal.com.
If You Go
What: Living Windows in
downtown Hannibal
Where: Main Street, Hannibal
When: 5 to 8 p.m. Dec. 12
Cost: Free
Contact: visithannibal.com
Details: Live performances and
recreations of Christmas scenes on
display in shop windows.

8 // November 26, 2020 // Columbia Missourian


Mark Twain Museum to sweeten season with gingerbread houses
Hannibal
By Tia Alphonse
news@columbiamissourian.com
The Mark Twain Boyhood Home and
Museum in Hannibal is ready to open
its lobby to dozens of gingerbread hous-
es again this year.
With its third annual gingerbread
house contest and display, children and
adults can submit entries for a chance
to win gift cards sponsored by the
city’s Walmart and County Market.
The contest will award $50 and $100
gift cards to the winners. The entry
period opens Nov. 28 and closes Dec.
11. The community votes on the best
crafted houses during the city’s Living
Windows event Dec. 12.
Due to the pandemic, the voting peri-
od will be longer this year. To reduce
the number of people who congregate
for voting, the community will be able
to vote all day Dec. 12 instead of the
typical three-hour period.
Melissa Cummins, marketing and
community relations manager of the
museum, said she started the event two
years ago as a fun activity the museum
could offer to incorporate both adults
and children in the community during
the holiday season.
Each year, the gingerbread houses
fill the lobby of the museum and are
lined along the windows. As people
walk by the museum, they are able
see entries created by people from the
community.
In the past, Cummins said the com-
munity has been very creative with the
designs. She has seen contest partici-
pants make wreaths for the tiny houses
with thyme and parsley, create shin-
gles with Chex mix and design log style
cabins with pretzels.
The contest has a child division for
those ages 6 to 12 and an adult division
for ages 13 and up. For those who don’t
want to build the houses from scratch,
Cummins said, there is a division for
gingerbread house kits as well.
If you want more information on the
requirements for the contest, visit the
website at marktwainmuseum.org.
NORTHEAST
If You Go
What: Mark Twain Boyhood Home
and Museum gingerbread house
contest and display
When: Entry period is from Nov.
28 to Dec. 11; voting for the best
design is Dec. 12.
Where: 120 N. Main St., Hannibal
Cost: Free
Contact: 573-221-9010
Details: With its third annual
gingerbread house contest and
display, children and adults can
submit entries for a chance to win
gift cards. The community votes to
select the winners.
Mark Twain Boyhood Home and Museum
The Mark Twain Boyhood Home and
Museum is ready to open its lobby to
dozens of gingerbread houses again.
Columbia Missourian // November 26, 2020 // 9
 STE. GENEVIEVE, MISSOURI’S
n Free Parade Kicks Off Event
n Free Concerts Throughout
Downtown with Limited
Capacity, Social Distancing
and Masks Required
n Home of The New Ste. Genevieve National Historical Park.
n Many Downtown Shops Will Be Open Late On Fridays
Through The Holiday Season.
www.visitstegen.com | 573-883-7097
10 // November 26, 2020 // Columbia Missourian
Museum to kick off
holidays with Mark
Twain’s birthday bash
Hannibal
By Tia Alphonse
news@columbiamissourian.com
The Mark Twain Boyhood Home &
Museum in Hannibal will celebrate
Twain’s 185th birthday Nov. 28 with
an old-fashioned birthday party for
children, the annual Mustache and
Beard Competition and a tree-lighting
ceremony.
The birthday party will be the first
of the day’s events with four time slots
with 10 children in each slot. Because
of the pandemic, the times are stag-
gered throughout the day at 10 and 11
a.m. and again at 1 and 2 p.m.
“This way we’ll be able to social-dis-
tance the children and spread them out
with the different activities we’ll have,”
said Melissa Cummins, the marketing
and community relations manager of
the museum.
The event is free for children 2-10
with an adult. Hannibal’s Tom and
Becky ambassadors will host the event.
Registration is required.
The children who participate will be
able to make arts and crafts projects
with natural and recycled materials,
Cummins said. The children will also
play Mark Twain-themed childhood
games with an old-fashioned twist.
Instead of Pin the Tail on the Donkey,
for instance, children will pin the stash
on Mark Twain. They will also play
musical mustaches instead of musical
chairs.
The annual Mustache and Beard
Competition is the second of the day’s
events, starting at 3 p.m.
In honor of No Shave November and
Mark Twain’s birthday, this event chal-
lenges contestants to grow full facial
hair. In the past, the event was restrict-
If You Go
What: Mark Twain’s 185th Birthday
Bash
Where: 120 N. Main St.*, Hannibal
When: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Nov. 28
Details: Tree lighting, arts and crafts,
games, mustache competition, live
music
NORTHEAST
Mark Twain’s 185th birthday will be
celebrated Nov. 28 in Hannibal.
ed to mustaches, but this year, the list
of categories has expanded to include
beards.
All proceeds go to James E. Carey
Cancer Center, a treatment facility in
Hannibal.
The entry fee for the competition is
$5, with Schmidt and White Barber-
shop agreeing to match all donations.
The barbershop is also sponsoring the
prizes.
To close the night, Cummins said
a tree on the grounds outside Mark
Twain’s Boyhood Home will be lit. The
event is set to begin at 5 p.m. with a
performance by the Salvation Army
Brass Band, followed by caroling led
by the Tom and Becky ambassadors.
Children and adults are welcome
to bring homemade ornaments to be
placed on the tree prior to the count-
down at dusk.
When the Christmas tree is lit at
dusk, Cummins said it is “the end of
celebrating Mark Twain’s birthday but
the beginning of the holiday season.”
Cost: Birthday party and tree lighting
are free; entering the beard and
mustache competition costs $5.
Contact information: Melissa
Cummins at 573-221-9010 ext. 404
or the museum’s event page on
Facebook
 KANSAS CITY
1 The Strawberry Swing’s Holiday
Market at Union Station — Kansas City 5
2 Country Club Plaza Lighting 4
Ceremony — Kansas City 8
3 Crown Center Ice Terrace — Kansas City 9
4 The Farmer’s House — Weston 1
5 Snow Creek Ski Resort — Weston 2
6 Christmas in the Park — Jackson County 3
7 KC Restaurant Week 2020 6
8 2020 Candlelight Homes Tour — Weston
9 Parkville Downtown Christmas

Strawberry Swing sets If You Go

up an indie craft holiday What: Strawberry Swing’s Holiday

Market
Where: 3901 SW Longview Road,
Cost: Tickets are on sale on the
Strawberry Swing website for $7.50
Contact: Thestrawberryswing.com

market at Union Station Lee’s Summit

When: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturdays
and Sundays, Nov. 28 to Dec. 20
Details: Around 115 vendors at the
event with socially distant tents, 45
each weekend.

Kansas City
By Kayla Szymanski
news@columbiamissourian.com
This year will be the 10th year for
Strawberry Swing’s Holiday Market,
an indie craft festival that typically
attracts 150 vendors and more than
20,000 people to Kansas City’s Union
Station.
Because of COVID-19 restrictions,
this year’s event has been moved out-
doors.
The festival starts on Small Business
Saturday, Nov. 28, and runs until Dec.
20. Visitors can reserve a time slot to
shop by buying tickets ahead to keep
crowds small and controlled.
The 2020 Holiday Market is inspired
by European open-air markets. Around
115 vendors will be at the event in
socially distant tents, 45 each weekend.
Visitors can shop a variety of cate-
gories from pottery to pet accessories,
as well as grab a bite at food trucks in
the area. Crochet City, Jordan Haley
Art and Whiskey and Bone are just a
few vendors to show their wares at the
market.
“Everyone is so creative and so
lovely at Swing’s, and you feel like you
become part of like a family when
you’re supporting the small business-
es,” said Katie Mabry van Dieren, cura-
tor of Strawberry Swing.
“You get these gifts that are just one
of a kind in most instances.”
Van Dieren created the Strawberry
Swing Market in 2011 and has made
the festival a year-round Kansas City
tradition. She also puts on festivals in
the spring, summer and fall and offers
pop-ups to support small local busi-
nesses.
“I am their biggest cheerleader; I see
the impact that shopping locally from
these artists gives to them,” Van Dier-
en said. “It is just something you need
to experience.”
The event will benefit Troost Market
Collective, a nonprofit with a mission to This year will be the 10th year for Strawberry Swing’s Holiday Market, an indie
create equitable economic opportunity craft festival that typically attracts 150 vendors and more than 20,000 people
for creative entrepreneurs. to Kansas City’s Union Station.
Columbia Missourian // November 26, 2020 // 11
 Country Club Plaza County Club Plaza
The Country Club Plaza lighting ceremony has been a local tradition since 1930. Lights on Country Club Plaza in Kansas City will be
It began after one storefront was decorated with lights in 1925, and the entire on display nightly beginning at 5 p.m. Nov. 26 and
shopping district followed. continuing until Jan. 10.

Country Club Plaza’s reimagined lighting

display will be a broadcast experience
Kansas City
By Kayla Szymanski
news@columbiamissourian.com
The Country Club Plaza’s
Reimagined 91st Annual Evergy
Plaza Lighting Ceremony will
begin at 6 p.m. Thanksgiving
Day as a broadcast event.
In addition to the lights, the
show will feature musical per-
formances, historical highlights,
celebrity guest messages and
fireworks.
According to Katie Erwin,
coordinator of media relations
for the Plaza, KMBC will host
the hour-long event.
Small groups that are socially
distancing and abiding by CDC
guidelines are allowed to attend,
but large groups are prohibited.
Visitors will be able to view 15
blocks of lights throughout the
Kansas City shopping district
every night until Jan 10.
Stringing the lights begins just
after Labor Day and is a long,
difficult process because of the
architecture in the area. “Light
runs” take place at midnight
leading up to the event to be
sure everything will be working
during the Thanksgiving light
show.
The Plaza lighting ceremony
has been a local tradition since
1930. It began after one store-
front was decorated with lights
in 1925 and the entire shopping
district followed.
“The ceremony brings our
community together in such
a special way each year,” said
Kasey Vena, general manager of
the Plaza. “We believe it is more
important than ever to uphold
this beloved tradition, though we
made some necessary changes
to keep the community safe as
we usher in the joy of the holi-
day season.”
If You Go
What: The Country Club Plaza’s
91st annual Evergy Lighting
Ceremony
Where: Country Club Plaza, 4706
Broadway Blvd., Kansas City
When: Lighting ceremony begins
at 6 p.m.; lights are on display
nightly beginning at 5 p.m. Nov. 26
through Jan. 10.
Cost: Free
Details: This year’s lighting
ceremony will be broadcast, and
small groups will be allowed to
attend live.

12 // November 26, 2020 // Columbia Missourian

 KANSAS CITY

Lace up your skates: Crown Center Ice Terrace

In order to keep

Crown Center is open social distances

this year, 10
people will
allowed on the

for the winter season Crown Center

Ice Terrace
in 15-minute
increments.

Kansas City
By Kayla Szymanski
news@columbiamissourian.com
The Crown Center Ice Terrace,
Kansas City’s only public outdoor ice
skating rink, is open for its 48th season
through March 7.
Although the holiday season will look
different this year, the classic Crown
Center holiday decorations are up for
visitors.
Families and friends must make a
reservation on the Crown Center web-
site two days in advance. Season passes
will not be offered because of the new
reservation system.
In order to keep social distances, 10
people will allowed on the ice terrace
in 15-minute increments. Non-skaters
must pay to enter, and masks will be
required at all times.
Admission for all ages to skate costs
$7 per person. Skate rentals are an
additional $4, but skaters are encour-
aged to bring their own.
The Ice Terrace also offers pri-
vate parties this season that can be
reserved outside normal hours. Parties
can have up to 50 skaters at a cost of
$150 per hour.
After skating, Santa’s Gingerbread
Station inside Crown Center offers an
opportunity to meet and take a photo
with Santa Claus through Dec 24.
Admission is free.
If You Go
What: Crown Center Ice Terrace
Where: 2425 Grand Blvd., Kansas
City
When: November, December and
January: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sundays
through Thursdays; 10 a.m. to
11 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays
February and March: 10 a.m. to
9 p.m. Sundays; 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Mondays through Thursdays;
11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Fridays; 10 a.m.
to 10 p.m. Saturdays
Cost: $7 per person; skate rentals
are an additional $4
Contact: crowncenter.com/
iceterrace
Details: Ice skating for all ages;
reservations must be made two
days in advance. Private parties for
up to 50 skaters are available.

Columbia Missourian // November 26, 2020 // 13

 Farmer’s House in Weston offers holiday gifts
to benefit young adults with disabilities
Weston
By Dani Major
news@columbiamissourian.com
The Farmer’s House in Weston isn’t your
typical family farm.
Founded in 2006, this working farm and
country store provide opportunities for
enjoyment and skill-building activities to
young adults with disabilities.
Throughout the year, the farm grows and
makes its own products and holds events
such as barbecues, live music and farm
games on the front porch.
The staff maintains the operation and
helps develop skills such as customer ser-
vice, maintenance, gardening and more to
the young adults.
During the holiday season, the farm sells
special themed packages and other home-
made gifts to support its work.
Visitors can stop at either the down-
town Weston location or the market in the
If You Go
What: Non-profit farm and country
market
Where: Downtown Weston, 415 Main
St.; The Farm, 23200 Highway 273 N.
between Platte City and Weston
Farmer’s House in Weston is a working farm that provides When: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesdays
opportunities for skill-building activities to young adults with through Sundays; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
disabilities. This year, special gifts will benefit their work. Saturdays.
This year, the Farmer’s House is participating in the Weston
Candlelight Holiday Homes our. For four weeks in November
and December the Main Street location will be decorated.
14 // November 26, 2020 // Columbia Missourian
Vaughn’s Orchard barn off Highway 273
between Platte City and Weston.
Shoppers will find homemade decor,
kitchen items and appliances, food and
other goods that are homegrown, individu-
ally crafted and packaged. Locally sourced
vegetables, fruit, honey, cheese and other
home and farm gifts are also available.
During the holiday season, special holi-
day boxes with festive, themed items, such
as hot cocoa packets and bath bombs are
sold.
This year, the Farmer’s House in down-
town Weston location is participating in the
Weston Candlelight Holiday Homes Tour.
For four weeks in November and Decem-
ber, the outside of the Main Street location
are festively decorated.
Inside, customers can purchase stock-
ing-stuffer trinkets and treats while also
supporting a good cause.
Cost: Free
Contact: info@thefarmershouse.org;
816-800-9386 or 816-640-3276
Details: During the holidays, the farm
sells special themed packages and
other homemade gifts to support its
work with young adults.
At the store
in downtown
Weston,
shoppers
will find
homemade
decor, kitchen
items and
homegrown
food and other
goods. Sales
benefit young
adults with
disabilities
served by the
working farm
and country
store.

Snow Creek ski resort opens for 35th season
Weston
By Kayla Szymanski
news@columbiamissourian.com
Kansas City’s only ski resort, Snow
Creek, is set to open Dec. 19 for its 35th
winter season, weather permitting.
Snow Creek can be found about 35
miles outside Kansas City, offering
hilly landscape views for guests from
December to mid-March.
Due to COVID-19, resort events are
limited this season.
Those with reservations will be
required to ski at the resort, face cov-
erings will be required and social dis-
tancing will be practiced.
According to Shannon Buhler, gener-
al manager of Snow Creek, Epic Pass
holders will have priority access to res-
ervation days with pre-season booking
opening Nov. 6.
Snow Creek Ski Resort
Kansas City’s only ski resort, Snow
Creek, is set to open Dec. 19 for its
35th winter season.
Individual day lift ticket purchases
for non-pass holders will begin online
Dec. 8.
Snow Creek offers ski and snowboard
school for ages 7 and up. The class
must be booked in advance, and the
class size will be limited to six people.
Guests can also go tubing in small
groups down “Tornado Alley,” a 700-
foot slope.
Resort dining and facilities will be
open throughout the season but will
be limited. Guests are encouraged to
bring snacks and drinks in order to
keep up their energy for the day.
“Having a ski resort in Missouri is
important because we have so many
active residents within our amazing
state and many who are looking for a
new sport or activity to enjoy,” Buhler
said.
“It is a place for people of all ages
and ability.”
The Ice at Old Kinderhook
PLAY. STAY. GATHER. DINE. LIVE.
• Five minutes from the Square in Camdenton
• Tom Weiskopf Signature Championship Golf
• Destination Weddings...We Do!
• Seasonal Outdoor Ice Rink
• Master Planned Community Living
• Award Winning Dining
• Indoor/Outdoor Salt Water Pools
678 Old Kinderhook Dr., Camdenton, MO 65020
Email: 573.317.4314
www.OldKinderhook.com
Columbia Missourian // November 26, 2020 // 15
KANSAS CITY
If You Go
What: Snow Creek Ski Resort
Where: 1 Snow Creek Drive,
Weston
When: Dec. 19 through mid-
March: noon to 9 p.m. Mondays
through Thursdays; noon to
10 p.m. Fridays; 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Saturdays; 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Sundays
Cost: Epic Passes range from $199
to $329
Contact: Skisnowcreek.com
Details: Snow Creek, 35 miles
outside Kansas City in Weston,
offers skiing and snowboarding
from December to mid-March.
• Seasonal Sand Volleyball Courts
• Enhanced Spa
• Lake Access - 12MM on Big Niangua
• Boat Ramp on Property
• Trailer Parking and Electric Hookups
for Boat Charging
• Conference Facilities for 250+
info@oldkinderhook.com
‘Christmas in the Park’ attracts 200,000 visitors
Lee’s Summit
By Kayla Szymanski
news@columbiamissourian.com
Nearly 200,000 people are expected
to drive through a display of 500,000
lights and 275 animated displays in
Jackson County this season.
Jackson County Parks and Recre-
ation is putting on “Christmas in the
Park” for the 33rd year. It is the one
event that survived a blanket cancella-
tion of Parks and Recreation activities
during the pandemic.
This year, families are invited to
experience the tradition from the
safety of their cars until Dec. 31. The
entrance is at Longview Farm Elemen-
tary School, 3901 S.W. Longview Park
Drive in Lee’s Summit.
Jackson County Parks and Recreation Visitors can experience an extended
This year during Christmas in the Park, families are invited to experience the 100-foot entrance tunnel and a new
tradition from the safety of their cars until Dec. 31. display called “Santa at the Barbecue
Grill.”
“We figured that was fitting for what
we consider a barbecue capital right
here at home,” said Michele Newman,
director of Jackson County Parks and
Recreation.
Donations benefit at least 39 charities
in the Jackson County area. Charitable
gifts will be collected at the exit.
Apart from donations, the event is
free. The lighting display is turned on
every night from 5:30 to 10 p.m.
“Thanks to the generosity of our
community, we’ve been able to donate
more than $1 million to over 1,000
charity organizations right here at
home,” Newman said about three
decades of light displays.
The holiday tradition has been
viewed by over 2 million people since
its debut in 1987.

What: Jackson County Parks and
Recreation’s annual “Christmas in
the Park” drive-thru display
Where: 3901 S.W. Longview Park
Drive, Lee’s Summit
If You Go
When: 5:30 to 10 p.m. Nov. 25
through Dec. 31
Cost: Admission is free, but
donations are welcome. The
money contributed to the event
helps at least 39 charities in the
area.
Details: 500,000 lights and 175
animated displays

Eat your way across town during Kansas City Restaurant Week
Kansas City
By Kayla Szymanski
news@columbiamissourian.com
The Kansas City metro area comes
together to eat in the city’s 12th annual
Restaurant Week. The event runs for 10
days including two weekends from Jan.
8 through 17.
Participating restaurants offer multi-
course meals ranging from $15 to $45
with 10% of the proceeds benefitting
the Visit KC foundation, the Restaurant
Association’s Education Foundation and
the Don Bosco centers.
While COVID-19 restrictions are lim-
iting the number of people inside, par-
ticipating restaurants are encouraged
to offer curbside pick-up and delivery.
“We are giving people options so they
can support the local restaurants at a
time when it’s needed most, whatever
way is convenient and makes them
comfortable,” said Derek Klaus, direc-
tor of communications for Visit KC.
The Visit KC Foundation and the
Restaurant Association’s Education
Foundation are two nonprofit organiza-
tions dedicated to workforce develop-
ment within the community.
Participating restaurants will be
announced Dec. 1 on the Restaurant
Week website. Restaurants will have
menus for the week uploaded later in
the winter so diners can see the meals
offered before making a reservation.
“Many restaurants are small or fam-
ily-owned and are the lifeblood of our
neighborhoods,” Klaus said.
“Restaurants are among the first to
open up their doors for us. Now it’s our
turn to step up to the plate and support
them at a time when they need it the
most.”
If You Go
What: Kansas City Restaurant
Week
Where: Various restaurants in the
Kansas City metro area
When: Jan. 8 through 17
Cost: Multi-course meals ranging
from $15 to $45
Contact: kcrestaurantweek.com
Details: A list of participating
restaurants can be found on
Kansas City Restaurant Week
website starting Dec 1.

16 // November 26, 20200 // Columbia Missourian


Weston candlelight tours have long been a town staple
Weston
By Dani Major
news@columbiamissourian.com
The buildings and roads of Main
Street in Weston are brightly lit and
festively decorated during the holi-
day season. During four weekends in
November and December, the streets
are illuminated by twinkling lights and
holiday window displays as part of the
Weston Candlelight Tours.
Since 1837, shoppers have strolled
along the historic Main Street to
browse for holiday presents and eat at
area restaurants.
After browsing through homemade
candle selections at Weston Bend Can-
dle Company, for instance, shoppers
can try wild boar sirloin, ostrich steaks
and other interesting menu selections
at Avalon Cafe.
Shoppers can also pop into the 1837
Emporium, Renditions Polish Pottery
Shop, Main Street Galleria and the
Upstairs Tea Room and others.
Other features of Weston’s Missouri
Candlelight Homes Tour include won-
derland scenic decorations in the woods
During four weekends in November and December, the streets of Weston are
illuminated by twinkling lights and holiday window displays as part of the
Weston Candlelight Tours.
surrounding the main streets and his-
tory lessons about the rustic original
buildings that remain.
In ordinary times, residents allow
visitors to tour the interior of the
homes. This year, only the exterior of
the buildings will be decorated as part
of a holiday contest. There will also be
KANSAS CITY
If You Go
What: Weston Candlelight Tours
When: Nov. 28 and 29; Dec. 5, 6,
12, 13, 19 and 20
Hours: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturdays;
11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sundays
Where: Main Street Weston
Cost: Free
Details: During four weekends in
City of Weston
November and December, the
streets are illuminated by twinkling
lights and holiday window displays
as part of the Weston Candlelight
Tours.
posters with each building’s history for
history enthusiasts who visit.
The four-weekend event begins over
Thanksgiving weekend and will be
free. Visitors can vote on their favor-
ite decorations through various social
media sites.
Columbia Missourian // November 26, 2020 // 17

From 6 to 9 p.m. Dec. 4 in downtown Parkville, visitors can shop and take a socially
distanced hayride through the streets while listening to outdoor performances.
Parkville holds an old-fashioned
Christmas celebration on the river
Parkville
By Dani Major
news@columbiamissourian.com
December in Parkville is when
holiday celebrations take place
old-town style. This year, visitors
will get a COVID-19 version of the
traditional annual event, Parkville
Christmas on the River.
Typically, the event includes
performances by school choirs, hay-
rides and a fireworks show by the
river in downtown Parkville.
Because of COVID-19 restrictions,
there won’t be a fireworks show or
18 // November 26, 2020 // Columbia Missourian
buses of choir students, but there
will still be plenty to do.
Downtown, visitors can shop and
take a socially distanced hayride
through the streets while listening
to outdoor performances. Featured
groups include the Kansas City
Dickens Carolers and Parkville’s
School of Rock music studio.
Downtown Christmas will also
include a variety of kid-friendly
holiday activities. Children can
write letters to send to Santa at a
downtown business and make rein-
deer food, as well as visit and take
Downtown Parkville
Santa will greet visitors in his own festive house.
pictures with Santa in a festively
decorated Christmas house.
In addition to children’s activities,
vendors will be available with food
items and goodies, such as kettle
corn, roasted nuts and specialty
fresh flowers.
Parkville’s holiday tradition is a
tree decorating contest between
local businesses. The last night of
the annual Parkville fundraiser
takes place during the Downtown
Christmas event where businesses
will auction off their elaborately
decorated trees.
KANSAS CITY
owntown Parkville
If You Go
What: Downtown Parkville holiday
activities
Where: 104 B Main St., Parkville
When: 6 to 9 p.m. Dec. 4
Cost: free
Contact:
HistoricParkvilleMainStreet@gmail.
com; 816-214-8477
Details: Visitors can shop and
take a socially distanced hayride
through the streets while listening
to outdoor performances..
 CENTRAL
1
2 Northeast Misso ri
2
3
3 Hickory Ridge — Mexico, Mo.
5 6 8
4 Magic Tree — Columbia
7 4
5 9
10
6 Warm Springs Ranch Holiday Lights — Boonville
5 2
7 Starr Pines Christmas Tree Farm — Boonville 1
8 Contactless Santa visit at Bass Pro Shops Columbia
9 Weihnachtsfest — Hermann
10 3rd Annual Cookie Walk — Hermann

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www.meramecvineyards.com (573) 265-7847 www.centraliamochamber.com
Columbia Missourian // November 26, 2020 // 19
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20 // November 26, 2020 // Columbia Missourian
15th annual holiday
lighting ceremony goes
virtual in Jefferson City
Filling a Christmas tree with lights is symbolic of the holiday season.
Jefferson City
By Makalah Hardy
news@columbiamissourian.com
Jefferson City is celebrating its 15th
annual mayor’s tree lighting cere-
mony a bit differently this year. The
community will be tuning in for a vir-
tual event through Facebook Live.
The event will be an interactive
experience for viewers to watch a
tree-lighting moment by Mayor Car-
rie Tergin, who will be the only person
in attendance.
The tree will light up around
6:15 p.m. Dec. 3, according to Program
Director Phil Stiles.
The virtual event will feature a sub-
mitted video by the Helias Catholic
High School choir.
There will also be interactive element
ASHLEY L. CLARKE/Missourian
If You Go
What: Mayor’s Tree Lighting
Where: Facebook Live
When: 6:15 p.m. Dec. 6
Cost: Free
Contact: 573-634-6482
where viewers have the opportunity
to make crafts, including a homemade
snow globe, hand-print or paw-print
ornament and a Christmas card.
After the virtual ceremony, the pub-
lic is invited to view the tree through-
out the month of December where they
can also pick up homemade craft kits
and a hot chocolate mug in a sleigh by
the tree.
 CENTRAL

Stained Glass Theatre in Jefferson City

stages a show about stranded travelers
Jefferson City
By Makalah Hardy a immediate family price of $36 for
news@columbiamissourian.com members living in one household.
If You Go
The Stained Glass Theatre in Jef- The Stained Glass Theatre was orig-
ferson City will stage a holiday show inally cultivated by Ron Boutwell, a
playwright and director who wanted to What: Stained Glass Theatre Thursdays and Fridays; 2 p.m.
called “All Through the Night” from presents “All Through the Night” Saturdays
Dec. 10 to 19. The production starts at use it as a way to communicate faith in
the community. Where: 830 E. High St. Jefferson Cost: $7 opening night, $10
7:30 p.m. Thursdays through Fridays
Boutwell began writing Christmas City thereafter
and at 2 p.m. Saturdays.
plays with a faith-based message in When: Dec. 10-19; 7:30 p.m. Contact: 573-634-5313
It is about a small group of travelers
1969, and it was staged in 1982. The
who discover the power of the holi- first theater opened in 1983 in Spring-
day season while being accidentally field, and since then has popped up in
trapped in a train station on Christmas Ozark, Joplin, Columbia and Jefferson
Eve. City.
Tickets cost $10 for all shows except It now brings in local actors and
for opening night when tickets will actresses to star in the productions
cost $7 each. The theater also offers throughout the year.

Thebetween
Hermann Wine Trail hugs the Missouri River for 20 scenic miles
Hermann and New Haven. Along the way, six charming
Wine Trail Event
s
Say Cheese .......December 12-1
family-owned wineries are open for tasting and tours. Chocolate ...................February
3, 2020*
20, 2021
• Curling Vine Winery
573-835-2420 • CurlingVineWinery.com
Farmers’ Table .............. Apri
l 10, 2021
Wild Bacon .........................M
19 485 Booneslick Road, New Florence
Berries & BarBQ ............July
ay 1, 2021
24, 2021
15 miles to I-70 (Exit 175) Holiday Fare ..........November
HermannWineTrail.com 20, 2021
*Participating wineries for this even
• Hermannhof Winery
573-486-5959 or 800-393-0100
Puchta, Bias, Dierberg, Hermannh
Röbller and Stone Hill. All 2021
t are Adam
of, OakGlenn,
events will be
one-day events at the six wineries
Hermannhof.com •330 E. First St., Hermann indicated on
the map.
• Bias Winery &
SCAN TO VISIT OUR WEB SITE • Dierberg Star Lane
Hermannhof.com/about_us/tastingroom
Gruhlke’s Microbrewery
573-834-5475 • BiasWinery.com

Hermann 573-486-1182 • 338 E. First St., Hermann 3166 Highway B, Berger

100 Berger
Welcome Center Hermann to New Ha
Frene Creek Road

19
573-486-2744 • 800-932-8687
150 Market Street, Hermann
ven 15 miles
➞
New Haven
• Adam Puchta Winery • Röbller Winery
573-237-3986 • RobllerWines.com
573-486-5596 • AdamPuchtaWine.com 275 Röbller Vineyard Road, New Haven
SCAN TO VISIT OUR WEB SITE
1947 Frene Creek Road, Hermann

AdvAnce tickets Are required for Wine trAil events. PuchAse online or by Phone: HermannWineTrail.com • 800-932-8687
Columbia Missourian // November 26, 2020 // 21
 Hickory Ridge Orchard
Hickory Ridge Orchard provides holiday fun during the season with family attractions and gift shopping.

Hickory Ridge is a festive one-stop shop

Trees and gifts are available, plus family-friendly activities incuding hay rides

Mexico
By Makalah Hardy
news@columbiamissourian.com
Starting the weekend after Thanksgiving, the festivities at
Hickory Ridge Orchard will be centered around the holiday
season.
While some things won’t change — such as the opportunity
to visit farm animals — some things will be new, including
the sale of Christmas trees.
Hickory Ridge Orchard is located in rural Mexico, Missou-
ri, and owned by Brandt and Kelsey Schisler.
They bought the former Binder’s Apples and Alpacas in
2017 and have introduced family-friendly activities such as
apple picking, corn mazes and hayrack rides.
During the holiday season, the farm store will stock a selec-
tion of gift possibilities, including baskets and cups that are
available in a range of prices.
The baskets feature an array of items from different ven- Hickory Ridge Orchard
dors, such as canned goods, barbecue rubs, mixes, candles,
The farm store at Hickory Ridge Orchard stocks gift options.
soaps and other treats.
The farm has an extensive apple orchard, and later variet-
ies are still for sale.
Also available are apple cider donuts, caramel apples, mini If You Go
apple pies and kettle corn.
The Schislers have also teamed up with the Jaycees to What: Hickory Ridge Orchard
bring Christmas trees to the farm. Where: 24688 Audrain Road 820, Mexico
Several different varieties are available, including balsam
fir and blue spruce. When: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays
All proceeds from tree sales go to charity to help provide Cost: Free
foster children throughout the local area with presents. Contact: 573-721-1415
Families can easily social-distance on the 38-acre property.
Masks are encouraged.

22 // November 26, 2020 // Columbia Missourian


Columbia’s Magic Tree has been
attracting visitors for 25 years
The Magic Tree has become a holiday tradition in Columbia.
Columbia
By Makalah Hardy
news@columbiamissourian.com
For 25 years, Magic Tree has delighted
people in Columbia with the sight of an
intricate display of colored lights.
The tree sits in the grassy center of the
Village of Cherry Hill. While the tree has
been a holiday tradition since 1995, it has
only been at the village since 2010.
Every year on Thanksgiving, the tree
is lit for the first time at 5 p.m. and will
remain lit until Jan. 6.
There are plenty of parking spaces
and room to sit back and enjoy the lights.
Benches and chairs in the grassy space
around the tree are even closer places to
admire it.
CENTRAL
Courtesy of Discover the District
Photos can be taken at iPad photo booths
in various locations around the tree and
emailed directly to a phone. If You Go
The tradition started as a tree in the front
yard of Randal Fletcher, known as Will What: Magic Tree
Treelighter. Fletcher had the idea to twine
lights around the entire tree, from stump to Where: 2100 Cherry Hill
the end of every branch. Drive, Columbia
The first Magic Tree was stationed in his
When: Nov. 26- Jan. 6
front yard at 303 Hickam Drive but was
moved to the Village of Cherry Hill in 2010 Cost: Free
so the community could more easily view
Details: See a tree
the tree.
It takes Fletcher 120 hours to set up the decorated with thousands of
thousands of lights on the tree, and he esti- Christmas lights
mates the electricity costs amounts $10 a
night.
Columbia Missourian // November 26, 2020 // 23
 Jefferson City Christmas parade has
bands, candy, holiday-themed floats
Jefferson City If You Go
By Makalah Hardy Bands from local high schools, such as Fatima, Blair
news@columbiamissourian.com What: Jefferson City Christmas
Oaks, Helias and others will provide holiday music during
Every year, Jefferson City hold the Jaycees Christmas Parade
the parade.
Parade in the heart of downtown. This year, the 81st annual Where: Starts on High Street,
The parade winds through the heart of downtown, start- Jefferson City
parade will take place at 4:30 p.m. Dec. 5 with the theme,
ing on High Street and proceeding down Capital Avenue.
“Believe,” after the “Polar Express” franchise. When: 4:30 p.m. Dec. 5
For 81 years, this parade has kicked off the holiday season It is the start of a number of other holiday-themed events
Cost: Free
featuring dozens of floats made by Jefferson City locals. occurring throughout the month of December.
Details: A parade with holiday-
themed floats winds through
through the heart of downtown.

Drive-thru event at Warm Springs Ranch will still get

visitors close to famous Budweiser Clydesdales
Boonville
By Abbey Tauchen
news@columbiamissourian.com
Warm Springs Ranch Holiday Lights
are back this season, revised as a safe
drive-thru experience.
From the comfort of their cars,
visitors can see grazing Clydesdales,
lights shining on Budweiser trucks
and the big red barn. The ranch will
be open 6 to 10 p.m. Thursday through
Sunday from Nov. 27 through Dec. 30.
Because the ranch will be closed Dec.
25, there will be revised hours Dec.
21-23 and Dec. 28-30. The ranch will be
open from 6 to 10 p.m. Monday through
Wednesday during those dates.
Warm Springs Ranch is a breeding
farm for the Budweiser Clydesdales.
Established in 2008, the property holds
a mare/stallion and foaling barn, veter-
inary lab and 10 pastures, each with a
customized walk-in shelter.
The facility is home to more than 70
Clydesdales ranging from foals to stal-
lions.
It is located at 25270 State Highway
98 in Boonville. Turn right at the first
exit past the Missouri River Bridge at
Rocheport, and the ranch is on the road
Jason Vance/Missourian
Cole Talley holds his daughter Kimber,
2, up to pet a Clydesdale Dec. 19,
2019, at Warm Springs Ranch. “She
loves horses and she loves lights, so it
was a win-win coming here,”he said.
that turns east.
“The holidays wouldn’t be complete
without visiting the world-famous Bud-
weiser Clydesdales,” said Jeff Knapper,
director of heritage at Anheuser-Busch
in a press release.
Reservations must be made in
advance online to visit the ranch, and
tickets are $20 per vehicle.
Gift bundles can be purchased online, If You Go
and they will be available for families
when they arrive at the ranch. Those What: Warms Springs Ranch drive-
who purchase additional bundles have thru holiday lights
a chance to win the “Golden Ticket,”
When: 6 to 10 p.m. Thursdays
redeemable for four general tours
during the 2021 season. One “Golden through Sundays from Nov. 27 to
Ticket” will be given out per day. Dec. 30; 6 to 10 p.m. Mondays
The bundle options include: through Wednesdays from Dec.
n Bundle 1: One Clydesdale plush 21-23 and Dec. 28-30.
($10 each)
n Bundle 2: One Clydesdale plush and Where: 3118, 25270 MO-98,
one ornament ($20 each) Boonville
n Bundle 3: One Clydesdale plush, Cost: $20 per vehicle (extra gift
one ornament and one Dalmatian bundles may be purchased)
plush ($30 each)
If inclement weather occurs on the Contact: 888-972-5933
day of the event, the tour will be can- Details: Visitors can see the famous
celed and full refunds will be given.
Budweiser Clydesdales during this
“The new Holiday Lights drive-thru
experience allows visitors to enjoy the drive-thru holiday light experience.
property from the comfort of their
own vehicles, gazing at the captivat-
ing views of Warm Springs Ranch
transformed into a winter wonderland
for the holidays,” said Knapper in the
release.

24 // November 26, 2020 // Columbia Missourian


‘A real tree experience’: Starr Pines Christmas Tree
Farm in Boonville opens Thanksgiving Day
Boonville
Starr Pines owner Wayne Harmon, right, helps Dana Jacobson of Fayette pick out a precut
Christmas tree at Starr Pines in Boonville. Jacobson said she always gets a real tree. “I think
they’re prettier,” she said. “I like the smell.”
If You Go
What: Starr Pines Christmas Tree
Farm
When: 9 a.m. until dark from
Thanksgiving Day until Christmas
Eve
Where: 21298 Pleasant Hill Road,
Boonville
Cost: $6.50 per foot for pine
trees; $10 per foot for fir trees
Contact: 660-882-6858 or info@
starrpines.com
Details: Starr Pines Christmas
Tree Farm is open with trees,
wreaths, gifts and more will be
available for purchase.
Tim Tai/Missourian
Kayla Kauffman/Missourian
Mary Cleavinger, 15, helps her father, Peter Cleavinger,
attach their new Christmas tree to the top of their
minivan at Starr Pines farm in Boonville.
CENTRAL
By Abbey Tauchen
news@columbiamissourian.com
Starr Pines Christmas Tree Farm in Boon-
ville will open for the season on Thanksgiv-
ing Day.
About a 25-minute drive from Columbia,
the tree farm will be spreading holiday
cheer with safety precautions in place.
Using pandemic safety protocols, visitors
can wander through the five Christmas tree
areas with a saw and sled in tow. They can
cut down their own trees and haul them back
on the sled.
“People will be spread out, and it’ll be safe
for them to get a tree of their choosing,”
Harmon said.
Pine trees are priced at $6.50 per foot, and
firs are $10 per foot.
Starr Pines also sells wreaths, gifts, apple
cider mix, tree stands, Amish candy and
ornaments. This year, the special handmade
wooden and painted ornament has a Santa on
it — wearing a mask.
Masks are also recommended for custom-
ers; purchases will take place outside. In pre-
vious years, the gifts have been sold inside
the barn. This year, they will be outside
under tents in the open air.
Starr Pines encourages people to stay
home if they have any signs of illness or
have been in contact with anyone who has
been sick, according to its website.
“In COVID, we’ve had to change like
everyone else,” said Wayne Harmon, owner
of Starr Pines. “We’re doing this in order to
stay open and provide trees for everyone to
have a real tree experience.”
Harmon said they are doing everything to
ensure safety of employees and customers.
The farm has enough space to follow social
distancing guidelines. In order to avoid the
risk of crowds, Harmon encourages people
to visit the farm during the week.
The farm is located at 21298 Pleasant Hill
Road in Boonville. It will be open every day
from 9 a.m. until dark, from Thanksgiving
until Christmas.
Harmon recommends following the direc-
tions on the website because GPS maps are
not always reliable in finding the farm.
“I would encourage everyone to come and
get a fresh tree. They’ll have a great experi-
ence coming to the country and being on the
farm,” Harmon said.
“They’ll be happy that they got a real tree.”
Columbia Missourian // November 26, 2020 // 25
 Safe, socially distant visits ready for kids
to see Santa at Bass Pro Shops
Columbia
By Abbey Tauchen
news@columbiamissourian.com
Children can still experience the
magic of Christmas and get a free
photo with Santa Claus this year at
Bass Pro Shops in Columbia.
Although Santa’s Wonderland has
been re-imagined to adhere to safe-
ty precautions, it is still likely to
hold just as much magic.
Annual photos with Santa do not
have to be compromised this year.
He will be available to meet chil-
dren and take pictures until Dec.
24.
Beginning Nov. 30 and running
until Dec. 24, reservations can be
made from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Mon-
days through Saturdays and 10 a.m.
to 5 p.m. Sundays. Families will
have several minutes to greet and
take a photo with Santa.
“It’s important to our customers
to figure out how we can do it in a
way that’s still safe for Santa, safe
for our outfitters, as well as safe for
our customers,” said David Smith,
market manager of Bass Pro Shops
in Columbia,
“It is a very safe, sanitized,
social distance process that allows
the children to still experience the
magic that is Christmas.”
During a “contactless Claus” visit,
Santa will sit behind the “Magic
If You Go
What: Safe Santa Claus photo and
visit
When: Photos with Santa begin
Thanksgiving Day and run until
Christmas Eve.
Where: 3101 Bass Pro Drive,
Columbia
26 // November 26, 2020 // Columbia Missourian
This year Santa will be available to meet children and take pictures until
Dec. 24 at Bass Pro. It will be a “contactless Claus” visit.
Santa Shield,” an acrylic barrier
between him and families, according
to the Bass Pro website. He will be
wearing a clear face shield, and chil- coverings and temperature checks
Cost: Free (additional photo
packages may be purchased)
Contact: 573-886-7100
Details: Families can have a free
photo done with Santa and take
home holiday gifts.
JASON CONNEL
dren must keep face masks on for
the photograph.
Bass Pro Shops is requiring face
A child receives a ticket to visit Santa’s Wonderland Studio at Bass Pro.
for all team members and patrons,
physical distancing and attention
from “Santa’s Sanitation Squad,” who
will sanitize all surfaces between
each visit.
Visiting families will receive a free
4-by-6 photo, and three photo pack-
ages can be purchased and printed
instantly at the store. The packages
include a $20 digital download; the
$20 “Jingle Bells Package” including
one 6-by-8 photo, one 5-by-7 photo,
two 4-by-6 photos and four wal-
let-sized photos; and the $25 Christ-
mas Card Package, which includes
eight Christmas cards.
Children can take home two free
holidays crafts — a bass ornament
or gingerbread man ornament that
comes with markers for decorating.
Free reservations can be made
online by selecting the preferred
time. When people arrive at Bass Pro
Shops, they must show a confirma-
tion on their phone at check-in, and
they will receive updates on their
phones. Reservations can be made
seven days in advance.
“For us, Santa’s Wonderland is
such a huge tradition for our cus-
tomers,” Smith said. “The Columbia
store has been around for 16 years,
and so we have kids that have attend-
ed our Santa’s Wonderland when it
was first conceived, and so it is a
generational tradition for us.”
Courtesy of Bass Pro Shops
 CENTRAL

Hermann celebrates German roots with Christmas market

Hermann
By Tia Alphonse
news@columbiamissourian.com
The Deutschheim State Historic Site
will bring back Weihnachtsmarkt again
this year during the first two weekends
of December.
“Weihnachtsmarkt,” which translates
as “Christmas market” in English,
showcases traditional German holiday
customs and their connections to cur-
rent American traditions.
This Christmas market is a tradition-
al German outdoor market in Hermann
that celebrates the holiday season.
The town is one of the earliest loca-
tions where Germans settled in Amer-
ica, and it is home to many Americans
with German heritage, said Katy Hol-
mer, supervisor of the site.
Visitors can sample German Christ-
mas springerle cookies, view German
art exhibits within the facility and shop
for Christmas-themed items available
in the market.
The event will also include holiday
“Weihnachtsmarkt,” which translates as “Christmas market” in English,
showcases traditional German holiday customs and their connections to current
American traditions.
decorations at Pommer House on site.
The market, exhibit and open house
will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec.
Deutschheim State Historic Site
5 and 6. The times will be the same the
next weekend, Dec. 12 and 13.
Due to the pandemic, the staff will
If You Go
What: Weihnachtsmarkt at
Deutschheim State Historic Site
Where: 109 W. Second St., Her-
mann.
When: From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec.
5-6 and Dec. 12-13
Cost: Free
Contact: Deutschheim State His-
toric Site at 573-486-2200
Details: Experience a German
Christmas market, art exhibit
and open house decorations in
Hermann.
monitor capacity to prevent overcrowd-
ing.
Weather permitting, most of the mar-
ket will be outdoors and provide ade-
quate space for social distancing.

Find all you need at the crossroads of US Hwy 24 & 36!

Explore
Monroe City!
You can’t Shop Local.
buy happiness, Support Local Business.
but you can
BUY LOCAL!
- Unknown
SHOP EAT ENJOY

MonroeCityChamberofCommerce www.monroecitymo.org
Columbia Missourian // November 26, 2020 // 27

Collect a bag full of sweets
during Hermann’s
annual Cookie Walk
Hermann
By Tia Alphonse
news@columbiamissourian.com
Hermann’s annual Cookie Walk
Dec. 18 and 19 will give visitors a
chance to stroll through the down-
town area collecting cookies from
the various local businesses. The
Hermann Area Chamber of Com-
merce organizes the event.
Each participant is given a
festive holiday bag to collect the
cookies and a ticket to be stamped
at each location. The shops pre-
pare and label bundles with two
cookies each. At the end of their
trek, participants can return their
tickets for a chance to win a door
prize.
In the past, this event has also
been an opportunity for families
to do last-minute Christmas shop-
ping at local shops.
Festive holiday bags for $20 each are used to collect the cookies
during Hermann’s Annual Cookie Walk Dec. 18 and 19.
28 // November 26, 2020 // Columbia Missourian
CENTRAL
Melissa Lensing, the executive
director of Hermann Area Cham-
ber of Commerce, said the event
has sold out in the past two years
— 200 tickets in 2018 and 300 tick-
ets in 2019.
She said plans are to sell 300
tickets again this year with about
16 businesses agreeing to join the
walk.
Due to the pandemic, the event
has been extended to two days to
allow for social distancing and
more time for shopping, Lensing
said.
Cookie Walk bags are available
for $20. The bags and tickets can
be picked up on the day of the
event at the city’s Welcome Cen-
ter.
To buy a ticket and secure a bag,
call Hermann’s Welcome Center
at 800-932-8687.
Hermann Area Chamber of Commerce
During Hermann’s annual Cookie Walk, each participant is given a festive
holiday bag to collect the cookies and a ticket to be stamped at each
location. The shops prepare and label bundles with two cookies each.
If You Go
What: Third Annual Cookie Walk Chamber of Commerce’s
Where: Downtown Hermann Welcome Center, 800-932-8687
When: 1 to 5 p.m. Dec. 18 and 19 Details: Participants stroll
through the downtown area
Cost: $20 per bag
collecting cookies from the
Contact: Hermann Area various local businesses.
Hermann Area Chamber of Commerce
 ST. LOUIS
1 Winter Wonderland Tilles
Park — St. Louis
2 Garden Glow — St. Louis
3 Wild Light — St. Louis
4 Central West End Window
Walk — St. Louis
4 5
5 Polar Express Train Ride St. Louis 3 7
1 10 8
6 Lazaroff Hannukkah
2 9
7 The Field House Museum
Presents: A Holiday Toy Display — St. Louis
8 Winterfest Kiener Plaza — St. Louis
9 Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel:
The Exhibition at America’s Center & The Dome — St. Louis
10 Steinberg Skating Rink — St. Louis

Tilles Park continues time-honored Winter Wonderland

St. Louis
By Drew Hofbauer
news@columbiamissourian.com
Winter Wonderland at Tilles Park
will hold its 35th holiday celebration
Nov. 25 through Jan. 2.
From 5:30 to 9:30 p.m., visitors can
make a 1-mile loop around the park,
which takes roughly 20 to 30 minutes.
Prices depend on the experience: $10
by car or $55-$120 by carriage.
Winter Wonderland started in 1986
when Wayne Kennedy, the former
director of St. Louis Parks, wanted to
create a light display for the holidays.
He called for cars, trucks, tractors and
trains to be set up throughout the park.
Referred to as “Big Boy Toys,” the
vehicles became a park mainstay.
Every year thereafter, holiday cutout
displays were displayed to accompany
the vehicles.
Over the years, the displays, lights,
infrastructure and sound system have
evolved at Winter Wonderland for the
more than 150,000 annual visitors.
“Visitors can take their time walking
through the park to enjoy the count-
less glimmering lights built into over
100 displays of characters and winter
scenes,” said Molly Olten, public infor-
mation coordinator of St. Louis County
Parks.
“The canopy of lights glistening is
set up throughout 75 acres of park
land,” she continued.
Winter Wonderland is designed and
set up by at least 25 St. Louis County
Parks employees. Setup begins in Sep- St. Louis Parks
tember and takes approximately six Winter Wonderland at Tilles Park lasts through Jan. 2.
weeks.
St. Louis County Parks donates a
portion of the fees collected each night
If You Go
to a charity/not-for-profit group that What: Winter Wonderland at Cost: Vehicle passes are $10, and
helps collect vehicle fees. Tilles Park carriage rides range from $55-
Where: 9551 Litzsinger Road, St. $120.
All participants 6 years and older
will be required to wear a mask. Those Louis Contact: 314-615-4386
3 to 5 years old are encouraged to When: 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. Nov. 25 Details: Drive or carriage ride
wear masks. St. Louis County Parks is through Jan. 2. Closed Dec. 24 through a 1-mile loop of festive
asking visitors to please follow social and 31. holiday lights and decorations.
distancing guidelines.
Columbia Missourian // November 26, 2020 // 29
 Central West End shop windows
deliver a show for holiday visitors
St. Louis
By Drew Hofbauer
news@columbiamissourian.com
Eleven years strong, the Central West End Window Walk in
St. Louis is a month-long celebration, with holiday experiences
from 1 to 5 p.m. Saturdays in December.
Visitors can walk along decorated windows while shopping
at boutiques and enjoying seasonal drinks and meals at local
restaurants.
The walk replicates the long tradition of families going
downtown to see festive windows while stopping at the Cen-
tral West End’s retail and dining establishments.
Each year, local designers partner with businesses to dec-
orate the shop windows. This year’s theme for all designs is
“Family, Friends, and Neighbors.”
“The Central West End Window Walk is one of our best
neighborhood traditions and something people from through-
out St. Louis look forward to every year,” said Kate Haher,
executive director of the Central West End Business Commu-
nity Improvement District.
“Even though festivities may look and feel a little bit differ-
ent this year, our businesses’ beautifully-decorated windows
will still be shining bright to spread holiday cheer all through-
out the neighborhood.”
New this year is an outdoor and self-guided immersive
experience featuring 23 local artists, designers and makers.
Titled “A Walking Xmas Carol,” this 20-stop musical window
display is a reimagining of the classic tale by Charles Dick-
ens.
Additional holiday festivities include ice carvings, carolers,
carriage rides, live music and street performers.
The Central West End Window Walk is a free event open to
everyone.

The Central West End Window Walk in St. Louis is a month-long celebration, with
holiday experiences on Saturdays in December.

If You Go
What: Central West End Window Walk Cost: Free
Visitors can walk along decorated windows while shopping Where: Central West End, St. Louis Details: Festive window displays and
at boutiques and enjoying seasonal drinks and meals at holiday themed activities are available
local restaurants during the Central West End Window Walk. When: 1 to 5 p.m., Dec. 5, 12 and 19 Saturdays in December.

30 // November 26, 2020 // Columbia Missourian


Kiener Plaza in St. Louis
lights up for Winterfest
St. Louis
By Drew Hofbauer
news@columbiamissourian.com
Winterfest returns this holiday sea-
son with a festive holiday light display
on Kiener Plaza.
Winterfest transforms Kiener Plaza
into a winter wonderland for people
of all ages. Kiener Plaza occupies the
full width of the St. Louis Gateway
Mall between North Seventh Street and
North Broadway and is directly north
of Ballpark Village.
Winterfest will feature more than
ST. LOUIS
If You Go
60,000 lights in the trees of Kiener
Plaza to complement the iconic back- What: Winterfest at Kiener Plaza Cost: Free
drop of the Gateway Arch and Old Where: 500 Chestnut St., St. Louis Details: See the holiday lights on
Courthouse in the heart of downtown
When: 5 to 9 p.m. Nov. 20 to Jan. 3 Kiener Plaza in downtown St. Louis.
St. Louis, according to the Gateway
Arch Park Foundation.
In addition to the light display, Win-
terfest will feature virtual activities
throughout the holidays. These free
virtual activities include online story
times, contests and holiday recipes.
The plaza will be open with the light-
ing display from 5 to 9 p.m. Nov. 20 to
Jan. 3.
Columbia Missourian // November 26, 2020 // 31
 Holiday magic at St.
Shop, Stay & Louis Union Station
Explore includes a ‘Polar
Express’ experience
Washington County
St. Louis
By Drew Hofbauer
news@columbiamissourian.com
”The Polar Express” at Union Station
will return to St. Louis for the holiday
season.
The family event has been recreated
as “Believe! The Polar Express Expe-
rience” for 2020.
The event runs Nov. 20 to Dec. 30.
Timed tickets will be available from
1 to 9 p.m., Fridays, Saturdays and
Sundays. On Mondays through Thurs-
days, the tickets are available from 3
to 9 p.m. Ticket prices range from $27
to $45.
Following the classic tale of a boy’s
search for the real meaning of Christ-
mas, guests will see decorated trains
under the Union Station train shed for
a walk-through experience.
Reed’s Relics in Potosi, MO Guests can interact with “Polar
Express” characters and with Santa
Claus in festively decorated tents and
Happy Holidays
on the station’s Purina Performance
Plaza.
Santa and his elves will visit with
children and give out silver bells as
gifts.
from the
“Guests can come to Union Station
and have a complete Christmas experi-
ence,” said Cameron Schoeffel, direc-
tor of entertainment sales and market-
ing for St. Louis Union Station.
Characters and helpers with
“Believe! The Polar Express Experi-
ence” will wear masks, and masks will
be required for all guests over the age
of 9.
St. Louis Union Station will continue
its popular holiday fire and light show
set to Christmas music on the train
If You Go
What: “Believe! The Polar Express
Experience” at St. Louis Union
Station
Where: 1820 Market St., St. Louis
When: Nov. 20 to Dec. 30. Timed
www.washcomochamber.com tickets will be available from 1
32 // November 26, 2020 // Columbia Missourian
shed lake. “The Polar Express” movie
will be shown every night.
Combined tickets can be purchased
to ride the St. Louis Wheel or to
explore the St. Louis Aquarium at
Union Station.
The 200-foot observation wheel will
be open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily
for views of the downtown holiday
lights.
Additional activities at Union Station
include the St. Louis Aquarium, open
daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. with extend-
ed hours until 8 p.m. on Fridays and
Saturdays.
The St. Louis Carousel, an 18-hole
mini-golf course at the Wheel Plaza,
and the St. Louis Ropes Course and
A-Maze-Ing Discoveries Mirror Maze
inside Union Station are also open
during the event.
The Winter Market, which offers a
holiday shopping experience inside the
event space, will have carnival games
and strolling entertainers.
New this year on select Saturdays
and Sundays, families can have pan-
cakes with Santa in Union Station’s
Grand Hall.
Seatings are available at 9, 9:45,
10:30 and 10:45 a.m. on Dec. 5 and 6, 12
and 13, 19 and 20.
Santa will visit with every child
during the event. Tables will be placed
at appropriate social distances and
only one group will be seated at a
table.
Tickets can be found at: www.
stlthepolarexpressride.com/pan-
cakes-with-santa
to 9 p.m. Friday, Saturdays and
Sundays’ 3 to 9 p.m. Mondays
through Thursdays.
Cost: $27 to $45.
Details: Festive holiday experience
at the historic St. Louis Union Station.

Animals, sights and lights
brighten up the St. Louis Zoo
St. Louis
By Drew Hofbauer
news@columbiamissourian.com
The St. Louis Zoo takes on holiday
spirit this year with Wild Lights,
presented by U.S. Bank. Doors close
to the public at 4 p.m. but reopen
from 5 to 8:30 p.m. on select nights
from Nov. 27 to Jan. 2.
“Wild Lights” visitors can expect
animal-themed displays throughout
the zoo, including Starry Safari,
Sparkling Savanna and Jungle Bell
Rock.
A special area overlooking the
lake, Lovebirds Lookout, is a place
for romantic strolls and views of the
Wild Lights display.
Penguin & Puffin Coast is the only
animal exhibit open at night during
the event. All other animal attrac-
tions are closed.
Timed-ticket reservations are
required and must be purchased in
advance online at stlzoo.org/wild-
lights. Tickets are not available at
the door. Capacity is limited to allow
for social distancing.
Recognized as a leading zoo in
animal management and research,
proceeds from the event help the
zoo provide the highest quality care
for its animals.
“Our traditional U.S. Bank Wild
Lights experience has been mod-
ified this year to help ensure the
safety and well-being of our guests,
staff and animals,” said Ginnie
ST. LOUIS
Westmoreland, director of market-
ing at the zoo.
“Walking through the zoo at night
with millions of lights all around
you is truly magical and delightful
for all ages.”
On weekends, the experience will
include holiday carolers and other
live performances. Visitors can
roast their own campfire s’mores at
one of the fire pits and enjoy dinner,
snacks, hot chocolate and holiday
drinks from food vendors through-
out the zoo.
Because of the ongoing COVID-19
pandemic, St. Louis Zoo has imple-
mented enhanced protocols and
procedures to help ensure the safety
and health of zoo guests, staff and
animals.
All guests ages 9 and up, as well
St. Louis Zoo
as all zoo staff, are required to wear
“Wild Lights” visitors can expect animal-themed displays throughout the
masks or face coverings over their zoo, including Starry Safari, Sparkling Savanna and Jungle Bell Rock.
nose and mouth while at the zoo.
The popularity of the flight cage
at the World’s Fair in 1904 inspired
If You Go
civic leaders to build a real zoologi-
cal garden in St. Louis. What: Wild Lights at the St. Louis $9.95 for members and $10.95
In 1910, the Zoological Society of Zoo for non-members (ages 2+);
St. Louis was established, marking Where: 1 Government Drive, St. Friday through Sunday: $11.95
the beginning of the zoo. Louis for members and $12.95 for
The founders formed the orga- When: Open from 5 to 8:30 p.m. non-members (ages 2+); free for
nization with the hope that a zoo on the following dates: Nov. children under age 2
would make the city more appeal- 27-29, Dec. 2-6, Dec. 9-23, Dec. Details: St. Louis Zoo is decorated
ing for visitors and residents alike, 26-Jan. 2 with holiday lights and festive
according the St. Louis Zoo’s web- Cost: Monday through Thursday: activities.
site.
Columbia Missourian // November 26, 2020 // 33
 Historic toys on display for the
holidays at the Field House Museum

Field House Museum

The Field House Museum takes note of the history of St. Louis
as a railway and river hub.
St. Louis
By Drew Hofbauer
news@columbiamissourian.com
The Field House Museum in St.
Louis has an extensive collection
of toys on display for the holiday
season.
Located in a 19th century
family home, each room is filled
with a blend of old and new toys,
ranging from Barbie to German
feather trees from the 1800s, just
a fraction of more than 150 toys
on display.
The museum is a historic site
that was once the home of Ros-
well Field, a noted St. Louis attor-
ney, and the birthplace of his son,
Eugene Field, who wrote poems
for children. His most famous
poems would be “Wynken, Blyn-
34 // November 26, 2020 // Columbia Missourian
ken and Nod,” “The Gingham
Dog and the Calico Cat” and “Lit-
tle Boy Blue.”
“This year, I really wanted to
include nostalgic items for not
only the older generations, but
my generation, Millennials and
younger generations,” said Caira
Starnes, assistant director of the
Field House Museum.
The holiday display will be up
from Nov. 6 to Jan. 21. The muse-
um is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Wednesdays through Saturdays;
noon to 4 p.m. Sundays. Ticket
prices are $10 for adults, $5 for
children 7-16 and free for chil-
dren under 6.
Tour guides will lead visitors
through the house. Self-guided
Field House Museum
Located in a 19th century family home, each room in the
Field House Museum is filled with a mix of old and new toys,
ranging from Barbies to German feather trees from the 1800s.
exhibits are located on the third
floor of the museum and in the
expansion. Current exhibits are: If You Go
“Life in Miniature,” “The Power
of Words: The Ongoing Tale of What: Field House Museum
Black Children’s Literature,” presents a holiday toy display
“Tails of Friendship,” “Steiff Where: 634 S. Broadway, St. Louis
Everlasting” and “Binding the When: Nov. 6 to Jan. 31: 10 a.m.
Written Works.”
to 4 p.m. Wednesdays through
The house is designated as a
Saturdays; noon to 4 p.m. Sundays
National Historic Landmark and
has an attached museum featur- Cost: $10 for adults; $5 for
ing the many collections of the children 7-16; free for children
Field House Museum, along with under 6.
traveling exhibits. Details: Holiday toy display at
Face masks are required and this historic museum celebrates
social distancing is encouraged.
children’s poet Eugene Field.
Tour reservations can be made
through Eventbrite or by calling
314-421-4689.

Hanukkah goes online for a
virtual Hullabaloo
St. Louis
By Drew Hofbauer
news@columbiamissourian.com
This year, Jeff and David Lazaroff of
“Brothers Lazaroff” are taking their
10th annual Hanukkah Hullabaloo
online.
Broadcast “live” from their backyard
around a bonfire, guests can safely
take part virtually by visiting www.
brotherslazaroff.com at 7 p.m. Dec. 12.
Officially, it’s called “The 10th Annu-
al Brothers Lazaroff Hanukkah Hulla-
baloo: A Virtual Miracle.”
“We have reimagined the hullaba-
loo for the virtual format as so many
performers are having to do with their
art,” Jeff Lazaroff said.
“We’ve got some really fun celebrity
guests popping in and have no doubt
Holidays in the Burg
Powell Gardens Festival of Lights, open thru jan. 3
dickens christmas, Dec. 5
that it’ll be a fun way for folks to cele-
brate Hanukkah right in the comfort of
their own living rooms.”
Celebrity guests include Ray Benson,
founder of the Western swing band
Asleep at the Wheel; Lee “Scratch”
Perry, reggae performer and producer;
Elizabeth McQueen, singer-songwriter
and radio personality; Jo Firestone,
writer for “The Tonight Show with
Jimmy Fallon”; jazz pianist Peter Mar-
tin; and singer Anita Jackson.
The brothers’ wives will be frying
up latkes, and DJ Boogieman will be
manning the giant menorah throughout
the night.
Viewers can expect the annual recita-
tion of “Eight Nights,” a series of nine
poems by Rabbi James Stone Goodman
We're wearing our masks and
practicing social distancing to
keep everyone safe! Learn more
about our area's face covering
order and other precautions at
JohnsonCountyHealth.org.
VisitWarrensburg.com
ST. LOUIS
set to experimental and Eastern Euro-
pean folk jams. Goodman serves the
Central Reform Congregation in St. If You Go
Louis and has an MFA in poetry writ-
ing from the University of Missouri — What: “The 10th Annual Brothers
St. Louis. Lazaroff Hanukkah Hullabaloo: A
The show is free to view, but suggest- Virtual Miracle”
ed donation proceeds will go toward a
developing St. Louis organization that Where: www.brotherslazaroff.com
raises money for music venues and When: 7 p.m. Dec. 12
musicians.
Cost: Free (donations suggested)
“We sure wish we could all be gath-
ered together for the big event, but we Details: Celebrate Hanukkah
think we’ve got a really fun and inspir- virtually with celebrity
ing virtual program put together,” performances and a local
David Lazaroff said. congregation leader.
“The best thing about it is you don’t
have to worry about parking, and you
can wear your pajamas.”
The Zoo at night,
what a beautiful sight.
U.S. Bank Wild Lights
Escape to a one-of-a-kind holiday experience at the Saint Louis Zoo.
Explore our wonderland with over 1 million lights. And, don’t forget to
check out Penguin & Puffin Coast as well as our adult beverage options.
Select Nights
Nov. 27–Jan. 2 | 5–8:30 p.m.
To ensure a safe and social
distance, advance tickets are
required at stlzoo.org
Columbia Missourian // November 26, 2020 // 35
 Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel
reproduced in St. Louis exhibit

Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel has been reproduced for visitors in St. Louis and is on view until Jan. 10.

St. Louis If You Go

By Drew Hofbauer
news@columbiamissourian.com
On the second floor of Ameri-
ca’s Center Convention Complex
in St. Louis, “Michelangelo’s
Sistine Chapel: The Exhibition”
recreates one of the best-known
artistic achievements in human
history and gives visitors a new
perspective.
Running through Jan. 10, the
exhibit is open from 10 a.m. to
8 p.m. Thursday-Sunday.
Admission prices range
between $10.50 to $17.50 with
discounts for families and large
groups arriving at the same
time.
The ceiling paintings from
the Sistine Chapel have been
reproduced using state-of-the-
art technology so the observer
can engage and understand the
work up close.
Copied in their original sizes,
the reproductions give the view-
er an opportunity to see the
work at a distance not achiev-
able in the Sistine Chapel.
Since the ceiling of the
Sistine Chapel is curved, these
reproductions are as close to
original size as possible, includ-
ing important images such as
the “Last Judgment.”
The pre-show area of the
exhibition prepares visitors
for this new staging of Michel-
angelo’s work, and guests who
have already visited the Sistine
Chapel should find a new way
of seeing it.
The photographs were taken
post-restoration of the ceiling,
and the exhibit displays a pre-
and post “Last Judgment” for
visitors to see the difference
in color, clarity and quality,
according to the exhibit web-
site.
An extensive audio guide
allows visitors to listen to
descriptions on a smart phone
or a device that can be bor-
rowed at the exhibit.
To enter the exhibit at Amer-
ica’s Center, guests should
use the Washington Avenue
entrance at Eighth and Wash-
ington.
What: “Michelangelo’s Sistine
Chapel: The Exhibition”
When: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday
through Sunday, Nov. 6 to Jan. 10
Where: America’s Ballroom on
the second floor of America’s
Center Convention Complex, 801
Washington Ave., St Louis
Cost: $17.50 for adults; $13.50 for
military and seniors; $10.50 for
children 6-18; free for children
under 6; $40 for a family pack;
$10 for groups of 10 or more
Details: Photo recreation of
Michelangelo’s famous Sistine
Chapel paintings

36 // November 26, 2020 // Columbia Missourian


Steinberg Skating Rink, considered to be the largest in the Midwest, offers public skating all day during the winter.
Steinberg Skating Rink is open daily
with special holiday hours
St. Louis
By Drew Hofbauer
news@columbiamissourian.com
Steinberg Skating Rink in Forest Park,
considered the largest outdoor ice-skating
rink in the Midwest, offers public skating all
day. The rink is open regardless of tempera-
ture, and admission is valid for an entire
day.
Located in the “Heart of St. Louis,” Forest
Park is home to the St. Louis Zoo, the St.
Louis Art Museum, the Missouri History
Museum and the St. Louis Science Center.
The rink is open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Sundays through Thursdays and 10 a.m. to
11 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. Special holi-
day hours are 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Nov 25 to 28
and Dec. 18 to Jan 2. Guests can skate for as
long as they wish.
It is open on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas
Eve and Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve and
New Year’s Day.
General admission for all ages is $10 per
person. Skate rentals are $8 with a variety
of types to choose from including hockey
and figure skates with sizes from toddler 6
through adult 15.
In addition to skating, the Snowflake Cafe
offers hot dogs, snacks, burgers, soda, hot
chocolate, beer and wine and is open during
the hours of operation.
Steinberg Skating Rink is a cash-only
establishment.
ST. LOUIS
Steinberg Skating Rink
If You Go
What: Steinberg Skating Rink in
Forest Park
Where: 400 Jefferson Drive, St.
Louis
When: The rink is open from
10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sundays through
Thursdays and 10 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Fridays and Saturdays. Special
holiday hours are 10 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Nov 25 to 28 and Dec. 18 to Jan 2.
Cost: General admission for all ages
is $10 per person; $8 for skate rental
ory bring your own skates.
Details: Holiday ice skating in Forest
Park
Columbia Missourian // November 26, 2020 // 37
 Botanical Garden puts on
Garden Glow with more than a
million lights
St. Louis
By Drew Hofbauer
news@columbiamissourian.com
To celebrate the holiday sea-
son, Garden Glow at the Missouri
Botanical Garden will let guests
see the grounds after dark.
“There is something truly mag-
ical about seeing the garden at
night,” said Catherine Martin of
the Missouri Botanical Garden.
Located in downtown St. Louis, the
Missouri Botanical Garden is also
known to many as Shaw’s Garden.
More than 1 million lights will
sparkle across the garden though
Jan. 2, illuminating the sprawling
landscape and historic buildings,
bringing new dimensions to an
already stunning display.
Visitors are invited to take a win-
ter walk through the garden with
family and friends, warm up with
a holiday beverage, make s’mores
around the fire and take part in
“Displays like the Frosted Forest,
Twinkling Tunnel and our Tower
Grove House projection show make
Garden Glow a must-see winter
tradition,” Martin said.
This year, additional features
include a new show on the pixel
tree in Spoehrer Plaza, a “kiss
goodnight” photo opportunity and
a 21-foot reindeer on Linnean Plaza
at the exit.
“Adding a dazzling holiday light
display makes those moments even
more magical for our guests,” Mar-
tin said. “We also wanted visitors
to experience the garden in the
winter, when it has its own cold
weather charms.”
The Missouri Botanical Garden
at 4344 Shaw Blvd. is a National
Historic Landmark and a center
for science, conservation and hor-
ticulture.
Founded in 1859, the garden is NING HE

festive photo opportunities as they the nation’s oldest botanical garden Garden Glow at the Missouri Botanical includes more than 1 million lights and
stroll through the lights. in continuous operation. shines through Jan. 2.

If You Go
What: Garden Glow at the Missouri Botanical Merry and Bright Bargain Nights are Sunday–
Garden Thursday, Nov. 12–Dec. 17; $18 for adults and
Where: 4344 Shaw Blvd., St. Louis $14 for members. Admission prices for children
are the same.
When: Garden Glow will be available from Nov.
Family nights are Wednesdays, Nov. 11-Dec.
11 to Jan. 2; closed Dec. 24 and 25. Doors open
16; $18 for adults, $14 for members and $3 for
at 5 p.m.
children ages 3-12.
Cost: $20 for adults; $10 for children ages 3 to Contact: 314-678-7442
12; $16 for members; $8 for children of mem-
Details: Visitors can see a nighttime display of
bers ages 3 to 12; and free for all children under
lights throughout the Missouri Botanical Garden.
2.

38 // November 26, 2020 // Columbia Missourian

SOUTHWEST
1 Smorgasbord — Springfield
2 Festival of Trees — Branson
3 Branson Limousine Christmas Light Tour

44
1

2
3

Columbia Missourian // November 26, 2020 // 39

 Branson sets up extensive Festival of Trees
Branson
By Catherine Burton
news@columbiamissourian.com
Christian Action Ministries is holding
Branson’s Festival of Trees this year, a
pop-up event with holiday decor and a
Christmas tree exhibit through Nov. 29.
The exhibit in Suite 309 at the Branson
Landing is open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Friday and Saturday and noon to 6 p.m.
Sunday. It is closed Thanksgiving Day.
The Christmas exhibit includes deco-
rated trees and wreaths, from the classic
green to snow white. Smaller holiday
decorations line the shop for customers
to purchase as a benefit for causes sup-
ported by Christian Action Ministries.
Executive Director Kevin Huddleston
said this is the fourth year for the event,
and it has already become a beloved tra-
The Festival of Trees at Branson Landing is open from 10 a.m. to
8 p.m. Friday and Saturday and noon to 6 p.m. Sunday.
If You Go
What: Branson’s Festival of Sunday
Trees
Cost: Free
Where: Suite 309 at Branson
Contact: 417-335-0547
Landing
When: Through Nov. 29: Details: Pop-up store
10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday and of holiday decor and a
Saturday; noon to 6 p.m. Christmas tree exhibit
40 // November 26, 2020 // Columbia Missourian
dition. At least 35,000 people viewed the
festival last year.
It offers visitors “an opportunity to
experience a Christmas wonderland
full of creatively decorated trees and
wreaths sponsored and designed by
Branson area businesses, churches, civic
groups, and individuals,” he said.
Admission is free, and all profits ben-
efit food pantries and mobile food out-
reach in Taney County. Christian Action
Ministries helped more than 40,000
people who needed food and accessories
last year, and they hope to sustain that
impact this year.
For additional information, contact
Christian Action Ministries’ Director of
Operations Betty McKinzie at 417-598-
9483, or Executive Director Kevin Hud-
dleston at 417-335-0547.
Christian Action
Ministries is holding
Branson’s Festival of
Trees this year, a pop-
up event with holiday
decor and a Christmas
tree exhibit through
Nov. 29.

Take a chauffeured drive through
Christmas lights in Branson
Branson
ByCatherine Burton
news@columbiamissourian.com
Branson Limousine and Executive
Charter, Inc. offers customers a chauf-
feured ride through holiday lights, an
experience they have provided for 12
years.
Driving tours are offered from 6 to
8 p.m. or 8:45 p.m. to 10:45 p.m. every
night from Nov. 1 through Dec. 30
around the city of Branson.
The tour will pass through the histor-
ic downtown to see Branson Landing,
“Branson’s Joy of Lights” and more.
There is a variety of pick-up locations,
including hotels in the city.
Vehicles will be sanitized between
each tour, and drivers are required to
wear masks.
Unlike previous years, the service
will not be able to provide refresh-
ments, but guests are allowed to bring
their own.
Springfield Symphony Orchestra presents
‘comfort food’ concerts this season
Springfield
By: Catherine Burton
news@columbiamissourian.com
On Dec. 5, the Springfield Sympho-
ny Orchestra will present “Christmas
Cookies,” a musical menu of pop con-
cert sweets that includes “Silent Night”
and “Winter Wonderland.”
There will be a 3 p.m. performance
for everyone, as well as a concert
arranged for season ticket holders at
7:30 p.m.
Then, on Jan. 9, guests can celebrate
the new year with classic songs from
Northern European countries in a per-
formance called “Smorgasbord.”
It will include Edvard Grieg’s Piano
Concerto, Brahms’ Symphony No. 2,
and Debussy’s “Prelude to the After-
There are six vehicle options, rang-
ing from a sedan or SUV to a limou-
sine.
Prices differ depending on the van
and amount of guests.
n Luxury sedan for (one to three passengers):
$175
n Executive SUV (one to five passengers):
$235
n Executive van (11 passengers): $295
n Executive van (14 passengers): $295
n Superstretch Limousine (one-10 passen-
gers): $295
n Limousine van (up to 12 passengers): $345
Owner Lee Wiedmeyer said he loves
holding the Christmas lights tours
each year.
He said his favorite part is watching
children experience the lights for the
first time.
For more details, visit the website or
call 417-331-1316.
noon of a Faun.”
Music Director Kyle Wiley Pickett
explained “smorgasbord” as the “idea
of this huge table with all sorts of
food.”
Pianist Kyle Orth will join the orches-
tra to play the Grieg concerto at both 2
and 7 p.m. in the Juanita K. Hammons
Hall for the Performing Arts. The
2 p.m. concert time was added so audi-
ence members can be spread out in two
shows for safety reasons.
Comfort food is the orchestra’s theme
for the season.
“It’s just comfortable to have a huge
spread of food,” Wiley Pickett said.
Related concerts have been called
“Spaghetti and Meatballs,” an eve-
Customers can book a chauffeured ride through holiday lights.
If You Go
What: Branson Limousine
Christmas Light Tour
Where: Branson
When: Nov. 1 — Dec. 30, 6 p.m. —
8 p.m. or 8:45 p.m. — 10:45 p.m.
ning of Italian favorites in October;
and “Beethoven’s Birthday Cake” in
early November with renditions of the
“Egmont Overture” and Symphony
No.7.
On Jan. 30, “Hot Buttered Popcorn”
will include silver screen favorites
from ‘The Wizard of Oz,” “Doctor
Zhivago” and “South Pacific.”
New this year, guests can also watch
the “Smorgasbord” livestreaming con-
cert in their homes.
The orchestra has been following
safety protocols, which has decreased
the number of musicians by about 20.
More information on safety can be
found on the Springfield Symphony
Orchestra website.
Columbia Missourian // November 26, 2020 // 41
SOUTHWEST
Branson Limousine and Executive Charter
Cost: From $175 and up
Details: Private limousine tour of
Branson’s Christmas lights
Contact information: 417-331-
1316
If You Go
What: Concerts by the Springfield
Symphony Orchestra
When: “Christmas Cookies” on
Dec. 5, “Smorgasbord” on Jan.
9 and “Hot Buttered Popcorn”
on Jan. 30; 2 and 7:30 p.m.
performances
Where: Juanita K. Hammons Hall,
525 S. John Q Hammons Parkway,
Springfield
Cost: $30 per person
Details: Music by the Springfield
Symphony Orchestra
 SOUTHEAST
1 Holiday Christmas Festival — Ste. Genevieve 1
2 “Murder on 34th Street” — Arcadia
2
3 Light the Night — Rolla 5
6
4 Dexter Christmas Reading
5 Christmas tree lighting — Cape Girardeau
6 Christmas open house — Cape Girardeau 4

Ste. Genevieve’s Holiday Christmas Festival offers

music, education and entertainment
Ste. Genevieve
By Jared Gendron
news@columbiamissourian.com
Ste. Genevieve celebrates the season
Dec. 5 and 6 with its annual Holiday
Christmas Festival.
Previously known as the Country
Christmas Walk, the event has expand-
ed to include live performances of
music with guest appearances by art-
ists from Missouri and elsewhere.
The event takes place from 11 a.m.
to 6:30 p.m. Dec. 5 and noon to 5 p.m.
Dec. 6. Open houses will be held at his-
toric sites, museums, and art galleries
throughout the two-day event.
Twenty-four concerts are scheduled
both days by area musical organiza-
tions. Baroque, romantic, classical,
impressionist, Latino jazz, classical
guitar, historic French singers, French
café music and others can be heard in
the city’s historic buildings, including
the John Baptiste Valle House, the
Historic District’s Welcome Center and
local churches.
Annette Rolfe, executive director of
the annual event since 2007, has made
it an opportunity for both entertain-
ment and education.
“I had potential to design a really
fantastic parade,” Rolfe said, “and I
thought there could be a lot more going
on.”
A parade starts the festival off at
11 a.m. Dec. 5 in the Historic District,
followed by a concession at Lions
Club Park where free hot-dogs will be
provided to children accompanied by
an adult. The Christmas tree lighting
takes place at 6 p.m.
Dec. 6 concerts begin at 12:30 p.m.
with the Wind Ensemble and Commu-
nity Choir performing in the Catholic
Church at 4 p.m. This will be the last
event of the festival.
“The festival is going to be around
for a long while, and this year it’s going
to be an enchanted time,” Rolfe said.
“We can host the event as long as we
follow COVID-19 precautions.”
For more information, contact the
Welcome Center at 800-373-7007 or
visitstegen.com.
City of Ste. Genevieve
The annual Holiday Christmas Festival
in St. Genevieve will include live
performances of music with guest
appearances by artists from Missouri
and elsewhere.
If You Go
What: Ste. Genevieve Holiday
Christmas Festival
When: 11 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Dec.
5; noon to 5 p.m. Dec. 6.
Where: Ste. Genevieve Historic
District
Cost: Free
Details: This annual event
features a Christmas parade,
24 musical performances, an
evening Christmas tree lighting
and visits to historic sites, art
galleries and museums.

42 // November 26, 2020 // Columbia Missourian

 Historic Glasgow, MO
Glasgow’s Old Fashioned Christmas

Shop – Eat – Stay

Upcoming EvEntS

Saturday | November 28, 2020

Celebrate Small Business Saturday and Support Local
• Visit Santa • Free activities for children • Horse drawn wagon rides
• Lighted Boat Parade at 6:30pm • Masks and Social Distancing are encouraged
• Check out Glasgow Main Street Association’s Facebook page for more information!

Glasgow Wine Walk

Saturday | April 10, 2021
Sample wines from several Missouri wineries,
including Glasgow’s own Bushwhacker Bend!
• Live Music • Food Vendors - all on the backdrop of the Missouri River!
Check out the Glasgow Chamber of Commerce’s Facebook page for more information!

www.GlasgowMO.com 660.338.2377
Columbia Missourian // November 26, 2020 // 43
 Rolla brings German festivities
to Missouri in honor of its sister city
Rolla
By Jared Gendron
news@columbiamissourian.com
Christkindl Markt has been a
staple annual tradition in Rolla for
the last seven years.
The Rolla Area Sister City
Association presents the event
each year in honor of its sister
city, Sondershausen, Germany.
Over the last 20 years, Rolla and
Sondershausen have traded five
visits designed to build their rela-
tionship.
The Christkindl Markt has a
variety of events, virtual and
interactive, taking place this
year. It will be the fourth annual
Lichternacht (“Light the Night”)
event, according to Jeff Sandquist,
Rolla Choral Arts Society execu-
tive director and member of Rol-
la’s Sister City Committee.
Missourians are welcome to
tune in to a live stream of the
annual Christmas tree lighting at
Rolla Public Library at 7 p.. Dec. 4
on the library’s Facebook page.
The event also kicks off the
Lichternacht Holiday Decorat-
ing Contest. Rolla residents and
businesses can compete for best
holiday décor. This year’s theme
is “No place like home for the hol-
idays.”
Sandquist said the project is a
way for people to safely venture
out on their own and explore the
holiday sights around Rolla.
“The idea is to get people to
get out into the community and
see the great displays that people
have set up,” he said.
Residential caption awards
include best representation of the
theme, best traditional décor, best
inflatable display and best high-
tech display. Businesses can com-
pete for best representation of the
theme, best traditional display and
best window display.
A panel of judges will determine
category winners and choose a
grand champion. The public can
also vote on their favorite displays
on social media and determine the
People’s Choice Award.
The fee to enter the contest is
44 // November 26, 2020 // Columbia Missourian
$15. Participants must sign up
before Nov. 30 and have their hol-
iday display set up by 7 p.m. Dec.
4. Judges will decide the winners
by 1 p.m. Dec. 13. Winners will
receive gift cards and items from
local businesses.
“We’re very pleased with the
support received from our spon-
sors for the competition. We are
taking these sponsorships and
putting it right back into the com-
munity,” Sandquist said.
Although there won’t be an
in-person Christkindl Markt fes-
tival this year, there are alterna-
tives.
The organization is encouraging
Missourians to take pictures of
the Christkindl Markt façade and
community tree in the Rolla Pub-
lic Library Plaza and post them on
AlyssaJeanStudios
the Christkindl Markt Facebook
page. People are also encouraged ABOVE: Christkindl Markt has been a staple annual tradition in Rolla for
to upload holiday photos and rec- the last seven years. The Rolla Area Sister City Association presents the
ipes. event each year in honor of its sister city, Sondershausen, Germany.
In celebration of Christkindl BELOW: Musicians perform during the market events.
Markt, there will be Christmas
readings, musical performances
and “how-to” holiday craft videos
at https://rollachristkindlma.wix-
site.com/music-festival.
Sandquist said several of Christ-
kindl Markt’s traditional food
vendors will be featured on differ-
ent days in December as part of
“Taste of Christkindl Markt.” This
is a partnership with Public House
Brewing in Rolla and other area
restaurants with German food
available for take-out and eat-
in dining. “Taste of Christkindl
Markt” times and locations will be
publicized on the the Christkindl
Markt web site, in local media and
on Facebook.
To enter the Lichternacht “Light
the Night” Holiday Decorating
Contest, email rollachristkindl- If You Go
markt@gmail.com, go to their What: Lichternacht (“Light the decoration contest)
Facebook page, @RollaChrist- Night”)
kindlMarkt, or visit the registra- Contact: (573) 368-8535,
tion site at https://sites.google.com/ Where: Virtual (@ rollachristkindlmarkt@gmail.com
view/ckmarktrolla/home. RollaChristkindlMarkt Facebook)
Details: Rolla’s Christmas tree
For additional information on When: 7 p.m. Dec. 4 lighting event and decoration
holiday events in the Rolla area
go to the Rolla Area Chamber of Cost: Free ($15 to enter contest
Commerce website, visitrolla.com.
 SOUTHEAST

Dexter brings the family together

for its annual reading of the Christmas story
Dexter
By Jared Gendron
news@columbiamissourian.com
In 2009, Greg and Lisa Mathis of
Dexter decided to begin sharing an
annual tradition with others.
On the Saturday after Thanksgiving,
they would gather with others to read
passages from Luke II in the Bible —
the well-known story about birth of
Jesus.
This year, the reading will take place
Greg and Lisa Mathis
at 6 p.m. Nov. 28 in a vacant lot at 125
On the Saturday after Thanksgiving, Dexter
W. Stoddard St. across from Mathis
gathers to read passages from Luke II — the
well-known story about the birth of Jesus. Funeral Home, the family business.
After more than a decade of read-
ings, the tradition has captured the
If You Go interest of dozens of Missouri resi-
dents. In 2018, Mathis said it drew
What: Dexter Christmas Cost: Free
more than 550 people.
reading Contact: 573- 624-4533
Since 2011, Crowley Ridge Menno-
Where: 125 W. Stoddard St., Details: Community gathering, nite Church Choir has performed a
Dexter singing and reading of the capella Christmas carols 20 minutes
When: 6 p.m. Nov. 28 Christmas story in Luke II. before and after the reading.
Each year, a new reader is appointed
who remains unknown to the public
until the day before. Mathis said he
chooses someone he believes has a
humble spirit, but he doesn’t select
clergy to avoid having it tied to a par-
ticular denomination.
“I just want it to be a reading of
God’s Bible that brings people togeth-
er,” he said.
Mathis also gives away items to
those who gather, including books for
children. In 2018, he and his family
distributed a Dexter Christmas read-
ing ornament. This year they will hand
out customized facial masks, he said.
The Mathis family has also contrib-
uted 35 to 40 dozen homemade cookies
during readings.
Dexter will block off Stoddard Street
for this year’s reading to allow for
social distancing.
If weather conditions become severe,
the event will be hosted virtually and
streamed via the funeral home’s Face-
book page, @Mathis Funeral Home.

Cape Girardeau begins first holiday weekend

with Christmas lighting ceremony
Cape Girardeau
By Jared Gendron
news@columbiamissourian.com
Old Town Cape, Inc. will introduce
the holiday season Nov. 27 in Cape
Girardeau with its second annual
Christmas tree lighting ceremony.
Small Business Saturday follows Nov.
28.
The lighting ceremony begins at
4 p.m. in Vasterling Suites Courtyard,
with music to begin at 5:30 p.m. and the
tree lighting at 6:20 p.m. Parts of Foun-
tain Street will be closed so attendees
can walk and practice social distancing
The event will be broadcast on Cape
Girardeau’s local news outlet, KFVS12,
“We were overwhelmed with the pub-
lic response to the tree last year and
are honored to bring something to the If You Go
community which will draw us togeth-
What: Cape Girardeau Christmas Tree Ceremony), Nov. 28 (Small
er,” volunteer Teresa Maurer said.
“So, drive by, take pictures, and most Tree Lighting Ceremony and Small Business Saturday)
Business Saturday
importantly, make memories around Cost: Free
the tree.” Where: Vasterling Suites, 151
Details: Old Town Cape hosts their
Small Business Saturday begins the
North Fountain St. Cape Girardeau second annual Christmas Tree
next day. The movement was found-
ed in 2010 by American Express and (Christmas Tree Ceremony), Lighting Ceremony featuring music
serves to help local businesses. Downtown Cape Girardeau (Small and appearances from Santa.
Shopping has become increasingly Business Saturday) Contact Information: (573) 334-
important as the global pandemic con-
When: 4 p.m. Nov. 27 (Christmas 8085, info@capechamber.com
tinues to affect the economy, according
to Old Town Cape.
Columbia Missourian // November 26, 2020 // 45

Die Laughing Dinner Theater is a collaboration between Delia Schindler and John Vullo.
Arcadia Academy hosts dinner
theater ‘Murder on 34th Street’
Arcadia
By Jared Gendron
news@columbiamissourian.com
When Katherine Rouse saw Die
Laughing Dinner Theater perform
in St. Louis two years ago, she
knew she had to ask them to per-
form at her tourist site, Arcadia
Academy.
Rouse has been holding dinner
theater events for over four years.
She and the academy consistently
book the talents of Die Laughing
Dinner Theater, a performance
duo comprised of Delia Schindler
and John Vullo. Schindler and
Vullo have collaborated for over
20 years.
Schindler and Vullo will present
their upcoming show, “Murder
on 34th Street,” at Arcadia Acad-
emy in December. The premise
involves Kris Kringle being
46 // November 26, 2020 // Columbia Missourian
charged with murder. The audi-
ence serves as judge and jury, and
it is up to them to convict Santa
or one of the other witnesses: I.M
Bliz, Cindy Lou Who, Jack Frost,
or the Grinch.
Die Laughing Dinner Theater,
which was formed in 1998, mixes
comedy and mystery, and many of
their shows involve a murder that
the audience has to work through
together to solve. But Schindler
said the main ingredient to their
success is the comedy.
Schindler’s goal is to sound and
appear exactly as the characters
she portrays. Both she and Vullo
write and perform their own
scripts.
“If I believe [the character] then
the audience believes it,” Schindler
said.
Schindler and Vullo perform a
variety of roles, often based on
Die Laughing Dinner Theatre
popular media icons. Examples
include Archie and Edith Bunker,
Clint Eastwood, and Lucille Ball.
The shows are split into four
acts — one for each dinner course.
Thee Abbey Kitchen, Rouse’s
restaurant within Arcadia Acade-
my, serves meals throughout the
performance. Formerly set up as
a buffet, the kitchen now serves
plates directly to guests for safety
reasons.
Guests are assigned a character
role as part of the performance,
and they receive a sheet that con-
tains character background infor-
mation and dialogue. Guests are
encouraged to participate, but it is
not mandatory in order to get in on
the fun.
“People ad-lib with us. We play
with that and then we go back to
the script,” Schindler said.
Katherine Rouse has been
If You Go
What: “Murder on
34th Street” at Arcadia
Academy
Where: 211 South
College St., Arcadia
When: 6 p.m. Dec. 5,
and 6 p.m. Dec. 12
Cost: $40
Contact: 573-546-4249
Details: This is a
comedy-mystery dinner
theater event presented
by Die Laughing Dinner
Theater hosted by
Arcadia Academy.
attached to Arcadia Academy for
a majority of her life. When she
moved to Arcadia in 1999, she and
her family bought the run-down
school and renovated it into a
multipurpose bed and breakfast
resort, kitchen and entertainment
spot. Twenty years later, it is now
a premier attraction destination
for many locals and tourists in
southeast Missouri.
Arcadia Academy will present
“Murder on 34th Street” on Dec. 5
and 12 at 6 p.m by advanced res-
ervation. You can reserve tickets
ahead of time at arcadiaacademy.
com, or by calling the business at
573-546-4249. The dinner audience
will check in at the academy’s ice
cream shop and then be taken to
the study hall where the dinner
theater will take place.

Cape Girardeau’s Downtown Open House
offers winter activities and holiday bazaar
Cape Girardeau
By Jared Gendron
news@columbiamissourian.com
Cape Girardeau continues to offer holi-
day events with its 18th annual Downtown
Christmas Open House the first weekend of
December.
The two-day event will offer caroling, horse
wagon rides and plenty of winter-themed dis-
plays in downtown Cape Girardeau, including
a shopping spree scavenger hunt. The holiday
bazaar will make its second appearance Dec.
5.
“In order to provide the community with
an opportunity to enjoy a fun winter evening
while supporting our downtown businesses,
we are thrilled to invite folks to visit down-
town Cape once again this year during the
Downtown Christmas Open House,” said Liz
636-745-3031
13187 State Hwy M | Wright City, MO 63390
www.bigjoelsafari.com
SOUTHEAST
Haynes, executive director of Old Town Cape. If You Go
The Downtown Christmas Open House
takes place 5 to 9 p.m. Dec. 4 and 10 a.m. to
What: Cape Girardeau Downtown Open House
3 p.m. Dec. 5.
The holiday bazaar is a chance for vendors and Holiday Bazaar
to sell homemade products including baked Where: Downtown Cape Girardeau (open
goods and artisan crafts. house); Frederick Street (holiday bazaar)
Vendors can sign an application to reserve
When: 5 to 9 p.m. Dec. 4; 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dec.
a spot at the Holiday Bazaar by visiting http://
5 (open House); 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dec. 5 (holiday
www.downtowncapegirardeau.com/wp con-
tent/uploads/2020/11/Vendor-Application.pdf, bazaar)
or request an application at info@capecham- Cost: Free
ber.com.
Contact: 573-334-8085, info@capechamber.
For the shopping spree, eight posters dis-
com
playing QR codes will be dispersed around
downtown Cape Girardeau, and the first eight Details: Annual open house with caroling,
people to scan them all will be entered into wagon rides, holiday bazaar and shopping.
a drawing to win one of two Cape Girardeau
shopping sprees, each worth $500.
nte r Wond e rland
Wi
• Christmas Lights, Decorations, and More throughout the Zoo!
• Seasonal Animal Display
• Rudy's Refreshments - Enjoy some hot cocoa, drinks, snacks,
S'more kits, cookies, & more!
• Fire Pits - Keep yourself warm and toasty!
• Holiday Gift Shop - Our gift shop will be expanded with toys,
stocking stuffers, Christmas ornaments, and more!
Admission: $6.00 ages 2 & up
November 27th thru December 27th
Hours of Operation
Thursday - Sunday
2:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Additional dates: December 21, 22, & 23
(Closed on Christmas Eve & Christmas Day)
Columbia Missourian // November 26, 2020 // 47
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48 // November 26, 2020 // Columbia Missourian