It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas in Ellsworth County. With just a few weeks before the holiday, a variety of events have been planned for around the area.

Cowtown Christmas

Events kick off Dec. 1 with the annual Cowtown Christmas Celebration organized by the Ellsworth Area Chamber of Commerce and its Ambassadors organization. The two days of activities are sure to have something for everyone, said executive director Tami McGreevy.

A Taste and Tour event will be from 1 to 5 p.m., with a soup lunch served from noon to 1:30 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church. Tours of churches will conclude at 3 p.m., with home tours to conclude at 5 p.m.

On the tour will be the homes of Kirk Robson, 416 E. 3rd; The Harmons, 302 Kunkle Drive, Carl and Susan Miller, 402 Bradley, and Prairie View Lodge, north of Ellsworth on Kansas Highway 156.

Tickets are $15.

The Ellsworth holiday retail season kicks off Dec. 2 with Jingle and Mingle. McGreevy said the evening will be filled with a variety of activities, including games and carriage rides, to keep everyone busy.

“From 4:30 to 7 p.m. we have a ‘walking tacos’ fundraiser for the Kiwanis Aktion Club that starts the night off,” McGreevy said.“We’ll have a Christmas tree decorating contest, and people will be able to vote on their favorite tree up and down our Main Street streetscape, and we’ll have entertainment up and down the street.”

Many downtown stores will have special promotions or games and purchases may qualify for the chamber’s annual “Passport to Prizes” giveaway.

The evening concludes with a live Nativity on the steps of the First United Methodist Church.

“We will carol our way back to the middle of downtown back to that live Nativity,” McGreevy said. “We want to spend a little bit of time reflecting on the reason for the season.”

And be sure to watch for a special appearance by Santa Claus, who is expected to arrive that night in front of State Farm Insurance, at the corner of Second and Douglas.

“He’s going to stick around until everyone has a chance to see him,” McGreevy said.

For more information on chamber events, call (785) 472-4071 or visit www.goellsworth.com.

‘Grinch’ magic at Wilson

A number of fun events are also on the calendar for the City of Wilson.

From 4:30 - 7 p.m. Dec. 8, the Wilson United Methodist Church will serve a “Grinch” dinner. The menu includes beef and noodles or chicken and noodles, mashed potatoes, green beans, rolls and desserts and drinks for a free-will donation.

The Midland Railroad Hotel will serve a Teddy Bear Tea from 2 to 4 p.m. Nov. 30. The event will feature a visit from Santa Claus, and visitors ages 6 and younger will get a special ornament with their picture with Santa in time for Christmas.

Call (785) 658-2284 for more information.

Santa visits Wilson again Dec. 7 from 1 to 2 p.m. at the Wilson Care and Rehabilitation Center. Children can have their photos taken with Santa and treats will be available. The event is sponsored by the Wilson Chamber of Commerce.

Kansas made

The Kansas Originals Market & Gallery, 233 KS Hwy. 232, will have a Christmas Open House from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 15.

Margery Lawson, chief executive officer of Post Rock Opportunities Foundation, which owns and operates Kansas Originals, said the event would be a great time to shop for unique Christmas gifts and support local artists.

“We have new this year our Farm Country Christmas boxes,” she said.“We can do free gift bags for anyone who is doing last-minute gifts. I think a lot of people are still shopping on Dec. 15 — I’m still shopping on the 24th.”

Lawson said the market is also having a raffle for prizes worth more than $1,600. Winners will be drawn at 4 p.m. that day, and raffle tickets can be purchased during the event.

Set in history

The City of Kanopolis will have an Afternoon with Santa from 1 to 3 p.m. Dec. 7 at the Fort Harker Guardhouse Museum, 303 W. Ohio.

City Clerk Debbie Kralik said the event is sponsored by the Kanopolis Recreation Department and the Ellsworth County Historical Society. The day will include drinks, cookies and lots of crafts and should be a fun time for families.

“They have been doing this for several years now,” she said.

Ladies Night Out

In Holyrood, the Scorched Stone Farm is offering a “Grinch Tree Workshop” for its 3rd annual ladies’ night out Christmas event.

The event is set for 2-4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 8, at the farm, 1835 NE 150th Ave., Holyrood.

Organizer Jessica Homolka said the event will give people a chance to enjoy drinks and appetizers while creating a fun Whoville-inspired Grinch tree.

“We just wanted to do something a little bit different since this is our third year to have a Ladies Day Out for Christmas,” Homolka said.“What we’ll do is we will provide everything that is needed like the fresh greenery and the decorations. You just need to show up and be creative.”

Homolka said the event is great for people of all ages and experience levels.

“Everybody has been really happy and when we have events it’s so diverse on what people come up with,” she said. “We walk you through step-by-step on how to do things and we’ll help you. Everyone really starts helping each other and the creativity kind of flows. They all turn out really good. Everybody is going to come away with something they are happy with.”

The cost is $50 per person and Homolka said reservations are requested by Dec. 2 to ensure there are enough supplies. Reservations can be made online at www.scorchedstonefarm.com or on the farm’s Facebook page.

Lorraine Christmas

In Lorraine, the recentlyformed Moms of Lorraine are hosting a children’s Christmas party from 6:30 - 7:30 p.m. Dec. 11 at the First Baptist Church, 320 Wichita Ave.

“We are combining our party with our Wednesday night children’s program at the church,” group member Cassaundra Vedder said.“They will do their Christmas program and the kids will sing their carols, there’s a Christmas story they always put on. We’re also going to do cookie decorating for the children, which they love to do, because it’s nice and messy.”

The party will include a visit from Santa Claus, and there will be gifts for every child who attends. A photographer will be available to capture photos of special moments, Vedder said. Children feeling crafty will have a chance to make ornaments, too.

A bike raffle is also planned, with a donation of a canned food item earning kids ages 3 and older the chance to win.

“The prison has donated eight bikes to us and the way we have it set up is you give to gift,” Vedder said. “It’s just something so the kids can learn about how important it is to give.”

Note to Readers — Did we miss your event? Send the information to the Ellsworth County Independent-Reporter and we’ll get it on our calendar. The e-mail address is indy@eaglecom.net. The street address is 304 N. Douglas Ave. Or call (785) 472-5085.