Entertainment for the 32nd Annual Christmas Fantasy announced; Make reservations now

The Veterans Memorial Health Care Foundation’s Christmas Fantasy 2023 will  be held Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday, November 10, 11, 12 and 13 at the Allamakee County Fairgrounds Pavilion in Waukon. The theme will be “Wishing You a Merry Grinchmas!”

Numerous decorated Christmas trees will be on display and this year’s event will again offer over 100 shopping opportunities on the silent auction.

The Friday evening “Tingle ‘N Mingle” will be held Friday, November 10 from 5-8 p.m. This event is a special opportunity to meet socially with friends and co-workers after work.  This year, much more hearty hors d’oeuvres, desserts, candies, breads and spirits will be served among the trees throughout the evening and will be catered by a variety of local businesses including Rhonda Stock, Tastefully Simple - Jan Baumler, Port Side in Harpers Ferry, Uptown Grill, Lid’s Restaurant and Fiesta Vallarta.

In addition, many Foundation members themselves will be adding to the line of hot and hearty foods, snacks and desserts this year. Advance tickets for this event can be purchased at Veterans Memorial Hospital or from all local banks (see the advertisement on Page 20 in this edition of The Standard for more information).

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

The luncheons are sponsored again this year by the Allamakee County Cattlemen’s Association and will be held Saturday, November 11, at Noon, and again Monday, November 13, at Noon. A full meal will be catered by B.E. Catered plus entertainment will be provided at both events. At the Saturday luncheon, guests will enjoy entertainment by Karen Lonning-Teaser. 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. (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 11 will feature a special wine, cheese and dessert event sponsored by the Eagle’s Landing Winery of Marquette, Empty Nest Winery of Waukon and also 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 Keystone Singers.

From 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, children will be given a special chance to see the Fantasy, plus have a visit and photo with Santa Claus. Story telling with Sue Kiesau will add to the excitement.

The Christmas Fantasy 2023 event will be open to the public Saturday, Sunday and Monday afternoons. Entertainment will feature piano students of Lane Rich and Lindsey Palmer, as well as harp students of Julie Knox, as a new attraction this year.

Christmas treats and cider 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 charge for children under 12 and for adults at the general viewings. Preschoolers are free.

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, mini-trees, etc., will be silent auctioned with the highest bidder winning the purchase at 7 p.m. Monday evening, November 13. Until that closing time, bidders can return, free of charge, to the Fantasy and raise their bid.

The 32nd Annual Christmas Fantasy is planned and sponsored by the Veterans Memorial Health Care Foundation, including Rose Beardmore, Sue Blagsvedt, Vicki Bloxham, Mitch Duncklee, Patty Goltz, Kevin Hanson, Dan Headington, Judy Herman, Jane Kallevang, Ardie Kuhse, Craig Lensing, Jay Mathis, Becky Mitchell, Nancy Schoh, Sue Stamper, Kim Sylvester, Matt Teslow and Kay Zimmerman, assisted by Karen and Bob Swenson and Julie Thompson.

Feel free to 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, call Veterans Memorial Health Care Foundation member Erin Berns at Veterans Memorial Hospital at 563-568-3411.