Entertainment for 28th Annual Christmas Fantasy announced; Make reservations now to attend

The Veterans Memorial Health Care Foundation’s Christmas Fantasy 2019 will be held Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday, November 15, 16, 17 and 18, at the Allamakee County Fairgrounds Pavilion in Waukon. The theme will be “Through the Eyes of a Child.” In addition to the over 50 decorated Christmas trees on display, this year’s event will again offer many shopping opportunities through the silent auction.

Reservations are now being taken for the popular Saturday evening Wine, Cheese and Dessert Event, and the Noon luncheons.

The luncheons are sponsored again this year by the Allamakee County Cattlemen’s Association and will be held Saturday, November 16, at Noon, and again Monday, November 18, at Noon. A full meal will be served plus entertainment will be provided at both events. At the Saturday luncheon, guests will enjoy entertainment by pianist Lane Rich.  Kristie Roeder will be the pianist entertaining at the Monday luncheon, followed by some members of the Waukon High School Band directed by JoAnn Sherman.

All guests will have ample time to view all of the displays at the event. Reservations can be made by calling 563-568-6262. Take note, the Saturday luncheon offers more room to stroll around and view the trees and is a great option for enjoying the Fantasy on the weekend with friends and family from out of town.

Saturday evening, November 16, will feature the hosting of a special wine, cheese and dessert event sponsored by the Eagle’s Landing Winery of Marquette, Empty Nest Winery of Waukon and Madigan Winery of Lansing. Call 563-568-4177 for reservations or to decorate and host a table.  The cost  includes refreshments, viewing of the decorations, musical entertainment and wine.  Entertainment will be provided by the Tri-Town Victorian Carolers.

The Friday evening “Tingle ‘N Mingle” will be held Friday, November 15 from 5-8 p.m. and is sponsored by Four County Crop Services of Postville. This event is a special opportunity to meet socially with friends and co-workers after work. Many tables of hors d’oeuvres, desserts, candies, breads and spirits will be served among the trees throughout the evening and will be catered by B.E. Catered of Waukon. Special holiday entertainment that evening will include Karen Lonning Teaser, Lane Rich, Tim and Lindsey Lund and the quartet “3 Old Guys and a Lawyer.” Tickets for this event can be purchased at Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon or from all local banks. Tickets may also be purchased at the door the evening of the event.

From 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday, children will be given a special chance to see the Fantasy, plus have a visit with Santa Claus. Story telling with Sue Kiesau will add to the excitement. Katie Hennessy of Cote’Color Photography will be on hand for a holiday Christmas card/picture opportunity for children with Santa Claus. These photos will be available for purchase.

The Christmas Fantasy 2019 event will be open to the public Saturday, Sunday and Monday afternoons. Sunday is sponsored by Thrivent Financial. Entertainment will feature St. John’s Lutheran Church Youth Choir and St. Patrick Catholic Church School Choir, as well as piano students of Lane Rich and Lois Fossum.

Monday afternoon at 2 p.m. Marcia Hesse’s Bright Beginnings Pre-Kindergarten Class will be performing for the area nursing home residents attending the Fantasy, as well as the public.

Christmas treats and cocoa will be offered during these public showings. Preschool children enter the Fantasy free of charge, but must be accompanied by an adult. There will be a $1 charge for children under 12, and a $3 charge for adults at the general viewings.

Numerous silent auction items will be available for purchase through a silent bid that will continue over the course of this four-day event.  These door and wall decorations, centerpieces, gift baskets, chairs, antiques, quilts and mini-trees will be silent auctioned with the highest bidder winning the purchase at 7 p.m. Monday evening, November 18.  Until that closing time, bidders can return, free of charge, to the Fantasy and raise their bid.

The 28th Annual Christmas Fantasy is planned and sponsored by the Veterans Memorial Health Care Foundation, including Rose Beardmore, Sue Blagsvedt, Amy Cote’, Jane Dietrich, Mitch Duncklee, Jackie Halverson, Kevin Hanson, Ardie Kuhse, Bev Larson-Needham, Craig Lensing, Jay Mathis, Nona Sawyer, Nancy Schoh, Breanna Sommer, Kevin Stinn, Kim Sylvester, Matt Teslow and Kay Zimmerman, assisted by Karen Swenson, Julie Thompson and Pat Pettingill.

Call the numbers listed above to make reservations for the Saturday and Monday Fantasy Luncheons, or for the Saturday night Wine, Cheese and Dessert event.

For more information on the Christmas Fantasy, see the advertisement on Page 2A of this week’s edition of The Standard, or call Veterans Memorial Health Care Foundation member Erin Berns at Veterans Memorial Hospital at 563-568-3411.