Holiday events and activities set to begin in Lansing this week

The community of Lansing has a full schedule of events and activities taking place as the holiday season gains a full head of steam. Starting as early as this weekend, area residents and visitors can join in the multitude of events described below:
• November 21-December 20: Lansing Elf Scavenger Hunt - There are 20 elves hidden in local businesses, each with a holiday movie clue. Participants can find them all and match each movie title with the correct Elf business location as they explore downtown Lansing. Forms to be used for the Scavenger Hunt can be picked up at Meehan Memorial Lansing Public Library or scan the QR code at right to complete and submit the form. Return the completed print form by December 21 to the library or Main Street Lansing’s drop box at The Works for prizes and a chance to win $100 in Downtown Dollars.
• November 21-December 20: Main Street Madness Punch Card Promotion. Pick up a punch card at participating merchants, shop downtown Lansing businesses and fill a punch card for a chance to win $100, $75, $50, or $25 in Downtown Bucks, in addition to gifts from local businesses. Filled punch cards can be turned in to any participating business or the Main Street Lansing office.
• Pink Friday Peppermint Walk - This Friday, November 21 between 4-7 p.m. Pick up a Peppermint Walk Map at participating businesses to see all the sweet stops participating, support local businesses before Black Friday and receive double punches in the Main Street Madness Punch Card promotion mentioned above. Find gifts, stocking stuffers, clothing, treats, and specials throughout downtown while enjoying a peppermint-themed evening. Pink Friday is a nationwide movement to shop local before Black Friday, supporting the small businesses that make local communities unique and vibrant.
• Light Up Lansing - Saturday, November 22, beginning at 3 p.m. Join in on kicking off the holiday season with festive lights, music, and community cheer. In addition to the Elf Scavenger Hunt and Main Street Madness Punch Card promotions mentioned above, enjoy horse-drawn wagon rides for a donation that will benefit LIFT (Lansing Iowa Food Trust), and Family Dinner and a Movie Night at 5:30 p.m. at T.J. Hunter’s.
At the Main Street Plaza, also beginning at 3 p.m., the ladies of the local VFW Auxiliary will be serving cookies and hot cocoa, and the first 40 people to donate four canned goods will get a free loaf of bread from Beth’s Kitchen, with food donations to LIFT and the Lansing Fire Department Toy Drive also being part of that downtown event. Santa Claus is scheduled to arrive at 4 p.m., and kids will receive goodie bags and have the opportunity to take a photo with Santa Claus. There will also be community caroling following the arrival of Santa Claus, with all ages welcome to participate.
• Monday, November 24: CPKC Holiday Train in Lansing from 3:30-4 p.m. Enjoy a festive train stop at the City Ballpark on South Front Street (between John Street and Dodge Street) with live musical performances by Smash Mouth and JJ Wilde. Those attending are encouraged to bring a food or monetary donation to benefit LIFT. See the article on the Front Page of this week’s edition of The Standard.
• December 11 - Holiday Hop. A progressive dinner through historic downtown Lansing featuring two downtown businesses and two Victorian-style homes, with a limited number of tickets available for this year’s event.