“Never Stop Believing” is the theme for this weekend’s Veterans Memorial Health Care Foundation’s Christmas Fantasy


Annual Christmas Fantasy scheduled for this weekend ... The “Never Stop Believing” Christmas Fantasy will be held at the Allamakee County Fairgrounds Pavilion in Waukon this Friday through Monday, November 9-12 and is sponsored by the Veterans Memorial Hospital Health Care Foundation. Pictured is a scene from last year’s Friday Night “Tingle ‘n Mingle” event, and the annual celebration also features Saturday and Monday Noon Luncheons, a Saturday Wine, Cheese and Dessert event, as well as a silent auction and viewing opportunities for the general public throughout the weekend. Submitted photo.

The Veterans Memorial Health Care Foundation’s Christmas Fantasy 2018 will be held this Friday through Monday, November 9-12 at the Allamakee County Fairgrounds Pavilion in Waukon. The theme will be “Never Stop Believing.”

The “Tingle ‘N Mingle” Happy Hour is an opportunity to meet socially with friends and co-workers. Over a dozen tables of hearty hors d’oeuvres, desserts, candies, breads and spirits will be served among the trees from 5-8 p.m. this Friday, November 9. The event is sponsored by Four County Ag Services and Four County Crop Services of Postville. Tickets are available at Veterans Memorial Hospital and local banks, as well as at the door of the event.

Saturday evening, November 10 will feature a special wine, cheese and dessert event sponsored by Eagle’s Landing Winery of Marquette, Empty Nest Winery of Waukon and Madigan Winery of Lansing. The event will begin at 7 p.m. Reservations are required for this event as seats are limited. Call 563-568-4177 to make a reservation.

Two special Christmas Fantasy Luncheons sponsored by the Allamakee Cattlemen’s Association will be offered Saturday, November 10 and Monday, November 12. Call 563-568-6262 to make a reservation for either of the luncheons. The Monday luncheon is currently very full, but the Saturday luncheon has more room to stroll around and view the trees and is a convenient option for enjoying the Fantasy with friends and family from out of town.

From 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday, November 11, children will be given a special chance to see the Fantasy, plus have a visit with Santa Claus himself. Story telling by Sue Kiesau will add to the excitement. Katie Hennessey of CotéColor 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 2018 event will be open to the public for general viewing Saturday, November 10 from 2-5 p.m., Sunday, November 11 from 11 a.m.-4:30 p.m. sponsored by Thrivent Financial, and Monday, November 12 from 2-7 p.m., offering entertainment from area choirs and artists. Complimentary Christmas treats and cider will be available during all these public showings.

Many decorative donated items are available for purchase throughout the weekend through a silent auction with the highest bidder winning the purchase of the item when the auction ends at 7 p.m. Monday evening, November 12. Until that closing time, bidders can return, free of charge, to the Fantasy and raise their bid.

All silent auction items are decorated and donated to the Foundation.

The 27th Annual Christmas Fantasy is planned and sponsored by the Veterans Memorial Health Care Foundation, members of which include Sue Blagsvedt, Dan Denk, Jane Dietrich, Jackie Halverson, Kevin Hanson, Amy Coté, Ardie Kuhse, Craig Lensing, Gail Prestemon, Jeanette Ruegnitz, Nona Sawyer, Nancy Schoh, Breanna Sommer, Matt Teslow and Kay Zimmerman. The Foundation members are further assisted by volunteers Kim Sylvester, Karen Swenson, Julie Thompson and Pat Pettingill.