March of the Toys will besiege Holyoke

    Holyoke’s Country Christmas is just around the corner, and Monday evening, Dec. 4, downtown Holyoke will be bustling with shoppers, Santa, sales and cider.
    At the center of the evening will be the March of the Toys parade of lights at 6:30 p.m. The 20th annual parade, sponsored by PC Telcom and Highline Electric Association, will begin near the Golden Plains Motel and travel north on Interocean Avenue in all its twinkling glory.
    Organized by the Holyoke Chamber of Commerce, festivities will begin after school on Monday. Phillips County Museum will be open from 4-8 p.m., with Santa and Mrs. Claus taking free photos there from 4-6 p.m. and again at 7 p.m. Hot cider and cookies will be served.
    Beginning at 4:30 p.m., the Peerless Theatre is offering a free showing of “The Star.” Immediately afterward, the Holyoke Volunteer Fire Department will provide candy bags for the kids.
    The soup supper at the Vets Hall will last from 5-8 p.m. Soup will be served by HVFD, and freewill donations will benefit the department’s July 4th fireworks show. While at the Vets Hall, guests are invited to take a guess at the Jolly Dozen FCE Club’s candy guessing game from 5-7 p.m.
    The Christmas home-based business collective will be set up in the Peerless Center gym. Vendors will have jewelry, home decor, crafts, clothing, food and more for one-stop Christmas shopping. Throughout the downtown area, various local businesses will have extended hours, special offers, sales and snacks. Home-based businesses will also be set up at Viaero Wireless.
    Enjoy a hot cider from the Lions Club at the newly finished mini park and stroll down the streets to see trees adorned by businesses in the Chamber’s tree decorating contest.
    Throughout the evening, from 4-8 p.m., the Kafka family will be giving hay rides around town. They start and finish at the mini park and will pause at 6:30 p.m. for the parade. Children under the age of 5 will need to be accompanied by an adult.