Live auction returns for 35th Annual Christmas Fantasy; Make reservations for events
Christmas Fantasy “Brunch with Santa” scheduled ... The fun-filled “Visit to the North Pole” Christmas Fantasy will be held at the Allamakee Fairgrounds Pavilion November 13, 14, 15 and 16 and is sponsored by the Veterans Memorial Hospital (VMH) Health Care Foundation. The new Live Auction event will return again adding to the line-up of events this year, taking place Friday night, November 13, at 7 p.m. during the “Tingle ‘N Mingle” happy hour event. A limited number of specialized items will be auctioned off to the highest bidder. These items will be posted on the hospital’s website and social media sites prior to the event. Reservations are now being accepted for the Christmas Fantasy Saturday evening Wine, Cheese and Dessert event, the Monday Noon Luncheon and the “Brunch with Santa,” pictured above, held Sunday morning, by calling 563-568-4177. Submitted photo.
The Veterans Memorial Health Care Foundation’s Christmas Fantasy 2026 will be held Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday, November 13, 14, 15 and 16, at the Allamakee Fairgrounds Pavilion. The fun-filled theme this year will be “A Visit to the North Pole!”
For only the second year, the new Live Auction event will be an entertaining part of the line-up of events. This Live Auction will take place Friday night, November 13, at 7 p.m. during the “Tingle ‘N Mingle” happy hour event. A limited number of specialized items will be offered. All auction items will be shared through the hospital’s social media Facebook and Instagram pages as well as their website prior to the 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. Again 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 16.
The Friday evening “Tingle ‘N Mingle” will be held Friday, November 13, 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 and new 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, Ryder’s Pizza, 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. Advance tickets for this event can be purchased at the Veterans Memorial Hospital (VMH) 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 14, will host the 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 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 16, at Noon. A full meal will be catered by Empty Nest Winery and 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.
Back by popular demand for the third year, a “Brunch With Santa,” will be held Sunday, November 15. A brunch buffet of eggs, ham, pancakes, cheesy potatoes, biscuits and gravy, fruit, rolls, juice, and more, will be served from 9 a.m.-Noon and will be sponsored by the Allamakee County Pork Producers, Iowa Pork Producers and Jet’s Meats. 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. Feel free to call 563-568-4177 to make a reservation. All ages are welcome to attend this event.
The Fantasy will also be open to the public Saturday, November 14, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Sunday, November 15, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and again from 2-6 p.m. Monday, November 16. Christmas treats and cocoa will be offered during all these public showings.
The 35th Annual Christmas Fantasy is planned and sponsored by the Veterans Memorial Health Care Foundation, including Sue Blagsvedt, Vicki Bloxham, Dawn Clark, Kris Cote’, Chris Engstrom-Fosaaen, Patty Goltz, Kevin Hanson, Judy Herman, Sue Kratz, Ardie Kuhse, Craig Lensing, Reid Mahoney, Becky Mitchell, Barb Shull, Tim Smedsrud, Sue Stamper, Jeremy Strub, Kim Sylvester and Matt Teslow.
Feel free to call 563-568-4177 to make reservations for those specific events listed above that require reservations. For more information on the overall Christmas Fantasy event, call Veterans Memorial Health Care Foundation member Erin Berns at Veterans Memorial Hospital at 563-568-3411, Ext. 443.
