This week’s MAIN EVENT offers holiday celebrations that range from the traditional to the comedic.
Doniphan is the place to be Saturday for Christmas at the Homestead at the Pioneer Heritage Homestead at 200 Franklin St. Events kick off at 9 a.m. and run until 1 p.m. and feature crafts, stories and a visit from Santa Claus.
Greater Vision Worship Center in Puxico is the site of the Puxico Christmas Music and Comedy Show, which features 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. shows Saturday at 453 E. Harbin Ave. Proceeds from the event support the Puxico Band Boosters and the SEMO Food Bank Backpacks for Fridays program at Puxico Schools. Cost to attend the show is $6, or $22 for the show and associated Feliz Navidad banquet.
If one is looking for a change of pace from holiday fare, the Wappapello Eagles are hosting a catfish fry from 4-7 p.m. The dinner features all-you-can-eat fried catfish, baked beans, ham and beans, and hush puppies for $14, with karaoke after dinner.
Other upcoming events include:
— Rose Anne Huck Stanard exhibit, now through Dec. 15 WHERE Tinnin Fine Arts Center COST Free WHAT Paintings by the artist show a love of the peacefulness of nature, according to organizers.
— 31st Annual Festival of Lights auto tour, 5-9 p.m. Dec. 14-25. WHERE Redman Creek West Campground, Lake Wappapello. COST Free. WHAT Approximately 250,000 lights will transform the campground into a winter wonderland that will help to bring in the holiday spirit. Local businesses and individuals decorate sites with as many lights as possible. Santa also will make appearances. The event will be open from 5-9 p.m. through Dec. 25.
— Catfish fry, 4-7 p.m. Dec. 15 WHERE Wappapello Eagles, 9103 Highway T, Wappapello. COST $14. WHAT All-you-can-eat fried catfish, baked beans, ham and beans, hush puppies for $14. Karaoke to follow.
— Christmas at the Homestead 2023, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Dec. 16 WHERE Pioneer Heritage Homestead, 200 Franklin St., Doniphan. COST Free. WHAT Come for a day of Christmas fun, including crafts, stories and a visit from Santa himself.
— Pet Pictures with Santa, Bake Sale and Meet and Greet, 10 a.m. Dec. 16 WHERE Petco, Valley Plaza Shopping Center. COST $5 donation. WHAT Hearts for Rescue and Petco are hosting Pet Pictures with Santa. Come get pictures taken with Santa with your device for a $5 donation. Hearts for Rescue will be set up with Santa at Petco for this fundraiser. There also will be some wonderful baked goodies for sale and, as always, some adoptable dogs to meet.
— Puxico Christmas Music and Comedy Show, 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. Dec. 16 WHERE Greater Vision Worship Center, 453 E. Harbin Ave., Puxico. COST $6 for the show, $22 for the show and Feliz Navidad banquet. Proceeds from the 2023 Puxico Christmas Music and Comedy show support the Puxico Band Boosters and the SEMO Food Bank Backpacks for Friday's program at Puxico Schools.
— Doniphan Lighted Christmas Parade, 6 p.m. Dec. 16 WHERE Doniphan. COST Free to attend. WHAT The public is invited to a “Simply Wonderful Christmastime” parade. Lineup is at 5 p.m., at the Plaza Flowers/Dollar General/Dollar Tree parking lot. Santa will be making his grand entrance at the end of the parade, followed by pictures at Heritage Park Gazebo.
— Christmas fundraiser bake sale, 8 a.m. Dec. 17 through 5 p.m. Dec. 21 WHERE 115 SW Front St., Naylor. COST Free to attend. WHAT The Reese Ainley Foundation will be having a Christmas fundraiser bake sale. Bidding will be in an online auction format like last time and begin Sunday and end Thursday, Dec. 21, with pickup at The Depot Friday, Dec. 22. To donate an item please, contact Reese Ainley Foundation or The Depot of Naylor.
— Science Sunday, 1:30 p.m. Dec. 17 WHERE Poplar Bluff Municipal Library, 318 N. Main St. COST Free. WHAT Want to find out about the Aurora Borealis? Come explore and learn what makes this beauty in the sky happen at Science Sunday.
— Open Studio, noon-4 p.m. Dec. 17 WHERE Canvas & Grain Studio, 1097 Highway 142. COST $15 and up, depending on the project. WHAT Join them and paint. Lots of canvas art and wood door hangers to choose from. Projects take 1 1/2 to 2 hours to complete.
— “Sounds of Christmas, 7 p.m. Dec. 17-20 WHERE Palace of Praise, 1400 Herschel Bess Blvd. COST Free. WHAT
— Storytime, 10:30 a.m. Dec. 19 WHERE Poplar Bluff Municipal Library, 318 N. Main St. COST Free. WHAT Come enjoy the Snowmen’s Twelve Nights of Christmas at Storytime. Attendees will make their own snowmen and dress them in festive clothes.
— Crochet College, 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Dec. 21. WHERE Poplar Bluff Municipal Library, 318 N. Main St. COST $5 supplies charge at the door, or bring your own hook and yarn. WHAT Make cat ear beanies and granny square scarves for the winter.
Don’t see your event? Let us know what you’ve got coming up and we’ll add it. Just email dailyamericanrepublic@darnews.com