What to expect when you visit Christmas in Hometown Le Mars

She turned to Mike, who was president of Wells Enterprises at that time, and said, "We could do this in Le Mars."

That's how Christmas in Hometown Le Mars, a celebration of the true spirit of Christmas in the Ice Cream Capital of the World, was born. 

"In the midst of where everybody was in 2020, we said, 'We need something joyful. We need something to celebrate. And, let's see if we can make this happen this year,'" Cheryl recalled.

As the end of 2020 neared, Cheryl said they were planning to host a public celebration, but, then, Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds issued a proclamation limiting all outdoor events to 30 people due to COVID-19 concerns. That first year, Christmas in Hometown Le Mars ended up being livestreamed.

"Our intention was to do a really great event; and even the first year, it really was a beautiful event," Cheryl recalled. "Every year since then, we have looked for ways that we can grow it and add things. We've really captured people's attention through it and, specifically, in our own community, because we have great community partners and community support here."  

The Wellses expect thousands to descend upon Le Mars for the day-long event, which will be held on Nov. 25, this year. 

The scheduled is jam-packed with family friendly activities, the majority of which are free. 

A character breakfast with Rudolph and the elves runs from 8 to 11 a.m. at the Knights of Columbus Hall. Then, event-goers can head over to Habitué Coffeehouse & Bakery to meet Santa and Mrs. Claus from 8:30 until 11 a.m.

"I own a coffeehouse and bakery here in Le Mars. They come there," Cheryl said of Santa and Mrs. Claus. "But we also have a spot in the Olson Cultural Center where kids line up and wait to see Santa through the day."

Mike said he looks forward to driving Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus down Central Avenue in the back of his 1950 Christmas truck in the afternoon.

"We have adults on street corners that just stop and are like, 'Oh, Santa!' You think it's about the kids, but the adults get just as excited," he said. "There will be hundreds of people lined up waiting for Santa and Mrs. Claus to show up in the afternoon." 

From 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., live reindeer will be on hand on Central Avenue across from Northwest Bank. There will also be pony rides and a petting zoo, during Christmas in Hometown Le Mars.

After snapping a photo with the reindeer, head down to the public parking lot next to Bamboo Village for ice skating, which is a new addition to the festival.

"The beauty is it's actually a synthetic rink, so it's not about getting wet or cold, or bad ice," said Mike, who noted the skaters will wear special ice skates, which will be available on site. "There's actually going to be sign-up slots so that when people come, they can sign up." 

Face painting at Le Mars Senior Center from noon to 4 p.m., cookie decorating at Uptown Event Center and Bingo with Blu at the Wells Visitor Center & Ice Cream Parlor -- both events run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., -- are not to be missed, the organizers said.

You'll need to get ticked for The Browns' "Christmas Wonder Show," which will be held at 10 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. at Browns Century Theater. The Browns are a nationally renowned gospel music group based in Le Mars.

Christmas in Hometown Le Mars will culminate in a tree-lighting ceremony at 6 p.m. at the Olson Cultural Event Center stage. A 26-foot tree will be lit and The Browns will perform also with ballet dancers.

"The absolutely can't miss, in my opinion, is the tree lighting. It's what brings to life what we envisioned when we were at Rockefeller Center and saw the lighting of the tree," Mike said. "It brings people together." 

For more information and a complete schedule of events, visit christmasinlemars.com.