New live auction at 34th Annual Christmas Fantasy announced; Make your reservations for events now

The Veterans Memorial Health Care Foundation’s Christmas Fantasy 2025 will  be held Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday, November 14, 15, 16 and 17, at the Allamakee Fairgrounds Pavilion. The fun-filled theme this year will be “A Christmas Vacation!” 

A new live auction has been added to the line-up of events this year. This Live Auction will take place Friday night, November 14, at 7 p.m. during the “Tingle ‘N Mingle” happy hour event. A limited number of items will be offered. All auction items will be shared through the hospital’s social media Facebook page prior to that event.

As always, numerous decorated Christmas trees will be on display with well over 100 shopping opportunities on the Silent Auction.  Many of these items will also be shared ahead of time through social media. This year, any registered silent auction bidder will have the option to call in to a Foundation Director and ask them to raise their bid instead of having to come back in later that weekend. The Silent Auction will close at 6 p.m. Monday night, November 17.

The Friday evening “Tingle ‘N Mingle” will be held Friday, November 14, from 5-8 p.m. This event is a special opportunity to meet socially with friends and co-workers after work. Like last year, many 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, Uptown Grill, Lid’s Restaurant, and Fiesta Vallarta, all in Waukon. In addition, many Foundation members themselves will be adding to the line of hot and hearty foods, snacks and desserts again this year.  The cost is $25 per person available at the door. Advance tickets for this event can be purchased at the Veterans Memorial Hospital main entrance.

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

Saturday evening, November 15, will host 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. Feel free to call 563-568-4177 for reservations or to decorate and host your own table of guests. The cost is $25 per person, which includes many refreshments and desserts, viewing of the decorations, and wine.

The Monday luncheon is sponsored again this year by the Allamakee County Cattlemen’s Association and will be held Monday, November 17, at Noon. A full meal will be catered by B.E. Catered plus the Nutrition Department at Veterans Memorial Hospital. All guests will have ample time to view all of the displays at the event. Reservations can be made by calling 563-568-4177. The cost for the luncheons is $25 per adult.

For the second year, a “Brunch With Santa,” will be held Sunday, November 16.  A brunch buffet of eggs, ham, French toast sticks, biscuits and gravy, fruit, rolls, and more, will be served from 9 a.m. to Noon and will be sponsored by the Allamakee County Pork Producers. Santa will also be available to visit with children of all ages during this event. Reservations are being taken now for arrival between 9-9:30 a.m., 10-10:30 a.m. or 11-11:30 a.m. Call 563-568-4177 to make a reservation. All ages are welcome to attend this event. The cost is $15 per adult, $10 for children ages 12 and under, and Preschool age and under are free.

The Fantasy will also be open to the public on Saturday, November 15, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Sunday, November 16, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and again from 2-6 p.m. Monday, November 17.  Christmas treats and cocoa will be offered during all these public showings with a $5 charge for adults, $2 for children under 12 and Preschool children and under are free.

The 34th Annual Christmas Fantasy is planned and sponsored by the Veterans Memorial Health Care Foundation, including Rose Beardmore, Sue Blagsvedt, Vicki Bloxham, Kris Cote’, Chris Engstrom-Fosaaen, Patty Goltz, Kevin Hanson, Judy Herman, Sue Kratz, Ardie Kuhse, Craig Lensing, Reid Mahoney, Becky Mitchell, Larry Schellhammer, Barb Shull, Sue Stamper, Jeremy Strub, Kim Sylvester and Matt Teslow.

Feel free to call 563-568-4177 for reservations for the specific events listed above that require reservations.  For more information on the Christmas Fantasy, call Veterans Memorial Health Care Foundation member Erin Berns at Veterans Memorial Hospital at 563-568-3411.