Get Into Grinnell Blog

Tomorrow evening marks one of my favorite nights in Grinnell: an evening to help us welcome The Most Wonderful Time of the Year, per Andy Williams' 1963 musical classic. Jingle Bell Holiday is set as a kick-off to the holiday season in an effort to keep more sales local and encourage customers to see what our businesses have to offer right here in our community. It's a fun-filled evening giving the opportunity to get out and explore our retail community - downtown sidewalks are filled with people, horse-drawn carriage rides are circling the business district, families are out enjoying treats and crafts and all the shops are decorated for the holidays. What's equally great about this event is that many service businesses and non-profit organizations get involved as well - it's wonderful to see so many come together to build and support community.  

Jingle Bell Holiday activities are set for 5 to 8 p.m. Friday evening (November 22) and I'm excited to see you downtown. Dozens of businesses and organizations have events planned for the evening, including open houses and activities, a winter farmers market, photos with Santa at Grinnell State Bank and double punches on your holiday punch card for any purchases made that evening. 

Our Central Park Holiday team has been hard at work over the past several weeks,and will be officially helping kick-off the holiday season with the lighting of Central Park! Michelle's Dance Academy will hold a holiday dance performance followed by the Central Park and Tree Lighting at 5:15pm from the stage in Central Park and free horse-drawn carriage rides will be available through downtown from 5:30-8pm. 

A special thanks to Community First Credit Union, Grinnell College, Dari Barn (who will be downtown with their On the Mooove trailer) and Temp Associates for their support of Jingle Bell Holiday activities. For a complete list of activities and participants, check out the regularly updated list on our website. I hope to see you downtown tomorrow evening enjoying this festive tradition! 
--Rachael Kinnick