The Christmas season is nearly here. It’s time for holiday shopping and decorating the Christmas tree. It’s also the time of year for holiday events and fairs. Here in Janesville, Wisconsin there is plenty of events, exhibits, and plays to attend.
First up, we have the Jingle Bell Run/Walk, on December 3rd. The Arthritis Foundation is hosting the event and all proceeds will be going to benefit the organization. Costumes are encouraged as well as tying jingle bells on your shoe laces. The route is 5K. Participants can either register online at jbrjanesville2011.kintera.org or pick up a registration form at the Janesville Athletic Club.
After running, or walking for arthritis, slow down the pace a bit and walk on over to the Lincoln-Tallman house and Helen Jeffris Wood Museum for a Holiday Twilight tour on December 3rd from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm. There will be luminaries to guide visitors to and from both places. Carols will be sung by members of the Edgerton Chamber Choir and Ol’ Saint Nick will be visiting and available for photographs. Tickets are available at the Helen Jeffris Wood Museum Center and at K&W Greenery
For those of you who prefer a slower pace, the Helen Jeffris Wood Museum is featuring the Winter in Wisconsin Exhibit. The exhibit is to last through February 29, 2012. It will be featuring indoor and outdoor winter activities and clothing. The outdoor exhibit will include: skiing, sledding, ice skating, ski outfits, hats, gloves, and a Wisconsin Carriage Company sleigh. The indoor exhibit will include: games, toys, books, sweaters, quilts, and a vignette of a cozy living room with a fireplace, rocking chair and rug.
If you enjoy live theater and Charles Dickens, The Armory is hosting a production of A Christmas Carol. The production is a spectacular musical extravaganza that ran for 10 years at Madison Square Garden. The play will run through December 23. Showings are on Friday and Saturday evening at 8:00 pm and on Saturday and Sunday at 1:00 pm.
Since Christmas is especially a special time for small children, The Rotary Botanical Gardens will be hosting Story and Stroll. This program is designed for preschool aged children along with their parents or caregivers. Children will participate in a few stories then go for a stroll in the gardens. There will also be games indoors as well. This event is scheduled for December 7th and runs from 10:00 am to 11:00 am
Later on in the evening, adults can enjoy live music and gourmet hors D’Oeurves at Jingle Mingle which will be taking place at the Armory on December 7 from 5:30 pm to 10:30 pm. The Jingle Mingle will have a raffle and over 100 silent auctions. Several prizes including a grand prize of $5,000 cash. This event is to benefit Mercy Hospice Care
From December 16th through the 23rd the Rotary Botanical Gardens will be hosting the Holiday Light Show. The gardens will have illuminated pathways to guide visitors through various themed light displays featuring over 300,000 lights. Afterwards enjoy a warm beverage inside and watch the Wisconsin Garden Railway Society’s model trains.
Be sure to check out janesvillecvb.com for more events.