The Most Wonderful Time of Year!

01 Nov The Most Wonderful Time of Year!

Ah, the holidays. The perfect time of year to showcase our communities, to bring people together, and to celebrate the gifts our small towns have to offer. At Emerge Marketing Solutions, we’ve been reflecting on community traditions past and what makes them so special.

Our guess is that community celebrations have made for vivid, lasting memories for many of you as well. What is it that makes these Iowa small town celebrations so effective for the well-being of both participants and the communities that make them happen?

:: Community celebrations bring residents together. In a world that’s becoming even more isolated, these events bring people out of their homes and gather downtown for a common purpose.

:: Holiday celebrations bring back alumni, friends and family who have moved away. Sometimes we need an excuse to make travel plans, and community events surrounding a holiday provide just that! What’s better than reminiscing about the good ole days among the beauty of twinkle lights, great food and drink, and the company of the loved ones you don’t get to see every day?

:: Holiday celebrations provide a great sense of community for new residents. Do not underestimate the power of a local event to help new members in your area adjust to and grow to love their new community. For those of us who are “transplants” to the communities we now live in, these events were part of what made our new surroundings really start to feel like home.

:: Community celebrations support local businesses. Holding activities on your Main Street and within downtowns helps spur business for locally-owned restaurants, retail shops, hotels and other stores. It’s also a great way to help residents discover businesses they may not have known were there!

:: Community holiday celebrations give us a chance to appreciate the true beauty of our town. Sometimes we take driving downtown or on our Main Street for granted and don’t even look twice at the storefronts. These community celebrations help you to slow down and enjoy the beauty that’s there. The glitz, glamour and lights showcase the best of our local businesses and what our communities have to offer.

Reflections from Emerge

Our team could easily recall some great holiday memories thanks to the atmosphere created by community celebrations:

“Some of my favorite Christmas memories since becoming a parent were at local community holiday events. At the time, we lived in Colfax, Iowa, and the town’s Main Street office planned wonderful community events for Halloween and Christmas. My older kids still talk about the horse carriage rides, pictures with Santa, hot chocolate and treats, and mini golf holes at each of the local businesses for Colfax Country Christmas. For me, it was also a great way to get to know local business owners in a festive setting. As new residents to the community, those events were a ton of fun for our family and a great way to meet people that we may not normally have crossed paths with.” – Courtney Vonnahme

“I grew up in Urbandale, Iowa, and although I wouldn’t consider it a “small town” by definition, the community prided itself on traditions and events that brought its citizens together throughout the year. The luminary candle displays that took place one night each year during the holiday season was an event I looked forward to as I grew up; both driving around with my family to look at holiday lights and luminary displays, as well as setting them up at our house with my dad. We’d often chip in and help neighbors who were out of town or unable to do it themselves, it really brought neighborhoods together.

Because it was an annual tradition, I didn’t realize it wasn’t something that happened everywhere until I grew up and moved to another town. I cherish the memories this tradition provided throughout my childhood and hope to take my children back to Urbandale someday so they can experience it as well.” – Kait Miller

“For me, the best community celebration of my childhood is in my hometown of Chariton, Iowa. Homecoming, although it’s not a formal holiday, sure seems like a holiday in the way our community pulls together, decorates every inch of town and celebrates. Even when we return home today, there is still such a strong sense of community pride and support of local businesses, non-profit organizations, churches, and especially the school, that you can’t help but wear red/white and root for the Chargers!

Another event that started since I moved away is Dazzlefest. This lighted, night parade features creatively-designed trucks, golf carts, characters and floats. The store fronts are beautifully-decorated (some even feature live displays) and the sparkle in the air and the eyes of neighbors is just what my heart and soul needs to get excited for Christmas! – Shelly Greving

Make community celebrations your priority this holiday season!

Seek out holiday celebrations for your local community and surrounding communities via Facebook, city websites, or local newspapers. We’ve also included a smattering of our favorite small-town Iowa events this holiday season.  What are some of your favorites?

Dazzlefest – Chariton, Iowa 11/29/19 Features open businesses, lighted parade and more.

Weihnachtsfest – Manning, Iowa 11/29/2019

Wyoming Christmas City Celebration – Wyoming, Iowa Typically the 1st weekend in December, featuring a whole community of lights, Santa in his workshop, horse & carriage rides, and many food options.

Hometown Christmas – DeWitt, Iowa 12/7/19 – Features a Christmas carnival, family movie, open stores, live holiday windows, gingerbread house contest, and lighted pick-up parade.

Light Up Urbandale with Luminaries – Urbandale, Iowa 12/8/2019 – Holiday festivities including an opportunity to visit Santa, see Santa’s live reindeer, crafts and activities, holiday goodies and entertainment! After sunset, luminaries light the streets of Urbandale showing support of community members in need.