Bluffs lights way to holiday fun

COUNCIL BLUFFS — It’s time again to light up the holiday season.

Council Bluffs’ 11th annual Winterfest kicks off on Thursday with a lighting ceremony in Bayliss Park.

The activities will start at 5:30 p.m. with free crafts for kids and balloon creations with Renee the Balloon Artist.

The big moment comes at 6 p.m. when Santa and his sidekick, Mayor Tom Hanafan, turn the park into a winter wonderland of lights.

“The mayor and Santa will arrive in a horse-drawn carriage at the park, say a few words and then flip a switch,” said Geoff Hubbard, the city’s recreation superintendent.

Santa then will be available to hear children’s holiday wishes across the street from the park at Bayliss Park Hall, an event center at 530 First Ave.

Hot cocoa and cookies will be available at the hall, courtesy of Arlo and Sandi Burk, the proprietors. The Heartland Christian School’s Elementary Choir will perform in the hall’s foyer throughout the evening.

Following the lighting, carriage rides will be offered around the park until 8:30 p.m., Hubbard said.

“It’s three hours of free, family festive fun and kicks off the whole Winterfest season,” he said.

Among other events planned during the holiday season:

Ÿ Festival of Trees at Harrah’s Convention Center on Nov. 21 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Nov. 22 from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Ÿ A model train display at the Union Pacific Railroad Museum from Dec. 19 through Jan. 2.

Ÿ Xtreme Winterfest Bike Ride at the Western Historic Trails Center, 3434 Richard Downing Ave., on Jan. 2 at 11 a.m.

Ÿ Winterfest Frozen Golf Outing at Dodge Riverside Golf Club on Jan. 9 at 10 a.m.

Ÿ Winterfest Snow Softball Tournament at the Council Bluffs Recreation Complex on Jan. 10 at 10 a.m.

Ÿ The $25,000 Winterfest Ice Fishing Derby at Lake Manawa State Park on Jan. 31 from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m.

And, of course, there’s First Night, a New Year’s Eve celebration of the arts, at various downtown venues on Dec. 31 from 6 p.m. to midnight.

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