Hometown Holiday | December 9, 2023

Click here

for Santa

sightings!

Purchase at Hattie Jo’s

Decorating Contests:

• Businesses
  
• County Residents
  
• Downtown Trees
  

Holiday Festives

Family Friendly Activities

Breakfast with Santa

9:30am - 10:30am

Ellsworth Fire Department | 100 Court Avenue

Free Will Donation to benefit the EVFD

A Visit From Santa

10:45 Santa’s Sleigh a.k.a Fire Truck will transport Santa downtown to the Ellsworth Art Gallery

11am-2pm | Visits with Santa

Additional Activities: $10 for a Letter to Santa

Photos with Santa courtesy of Deneen Urbanek

Winter Wonderland at the Gallery | Free Ornament Decorating for Children

Downtown Shopping & Activities | Shop Local this Christmas!

Once upon a time, in a land of golden grass that dances in the wind and stretches out beneath the endless blue sky, there lived a very special giraffe named Gigi. In the savannah, Gigi was beloved by all the animals, and she had a particular talent for making every holiday season memorable. She was known for her extraordinary ability to spread joy through art wherever she went.

One day, Gigi learned about the Ellsworth Arts Gallery’s big challenge to create a magical Christmas exhibit. The art gallery confided in Gigi about their dream to bring more art into the lives of Ellsworth, but needed her help!

Gigi, with her generous spirit, decided to help the Ellsworth Arts Gallery. With her long neck and graceful movements, Gigi set to work adorning the gallery with twinkling lights and colorful decorations. She even reached the highest branches of the Christmas tree, making it sparkle with holiday magic. Gigi’s eyes danced with joy as she helped transform the gallery into an art filled holiday wonderland.

On December 9th, during the town’s Hometown Holiday celebration, families gathered at the gallery to see the enchanting world that Gigi helped create - and to get a picture with Santa! The gallery was alive with the spirit of Christmas, and Gigi stood proudly, surrounded by happy children.

To make the holiday season even more magical, Gigi encouraged everyone to ask Santa for personalized letters. It wasn’t just about the art; it was about spreading cheer. The event turned out to be a huge success, bringing support to the Ellsworth Arts Gallery for new exhibits, events, and fun classes to create their own wonderful art!

Gigi’s magical touch transformed their Christmas into a time of unity, love and art filled joy.

Even though Gigi had to return to her family far away, she wanted to leave something special behind. Anyone who bought a letter from Santa would have a chance to win “Little Gigi”, an adorable 4 foot giraffe, as a gift for one lucky child to win! (Buy a Santa letter and get a chance to win!)

The whole town buzzed with excitement as families eagerly came to the Ellsworth Arts Gallery to order a letter from Santa and enjoy an art filled Christmas exhibit, making the holiday season even brighter and filled with you! Thank you, Gigi!

Social Media Contest!

Our county businesses already do a great job decorating their windows, so why not share those efforts with the community? Here’s what to do:

• All businesses (vacant or under construction is allowed too!) within Ellsworth County are encouraged to enter
  
• Decoration must be completed by Wednesday, December 6.
• Businesses who wish to enter must provide digital photos to Grow Ellsworth County by December 6. Need help with photography? We’re happy to help - just contact us!
• Digital photos emailed to ewcountyeconomicdevelopment@gmail.com by noon on December.
• Winners will be announced via Grow Ellsworth County Facebook page on 12.14.
  

The Voting

• Winners will be selected by “like” vote on social media at Grow Ellsworth County’s page
  
• Voting will occur between 9am on December 9 and 5pm on December 13.

Social Media Contest!

Celebrate your best Griswold and light up your porch for the holidays!

• All residences within Ellsworth County are encouraged to enter
  
• Decoration must be completed by Wednesday, December 6
• Residents who wish to enter must provide digital photos to Grow Ellsworth County by December 6. Need help with photography? We’re happy to help - just contact us!
• Digital photos emailed to ewcountyeconomicdevelopment@gmail.com by noon on December 6.
• Winners will be announced via Grow Ellsworth County Facebook page on 12.14.
  

The Voting

• Winners will be selected by “like” vote on social media at Grow Ellsworth County’s page
  
• Voting will occur between 9am on December 9 and 5pm on December 13.

Show our downtown trees in Ellsworth some love and beautify our downtown for the holidays!

ALL 14 TREES HAVE NOW BEEN ASSIGNED!

Click on the numbered map below to see a photo of the tree.

Prizes:

Peoples’s Choice voting through social media on 12.9

Judging (in person via selected judges) on 12.9

Winners received bragging rights AND an Ellsworth County Treat Basket!

Join us for a holiday classic showing of

The Polar Express!

2:15pm

Bring your blankets, pillows, wear your favorite holiday pajamas, and enjoy popcorn courtesy of the library!

following

Christmas Showcase!

Welcome our performers from Tumble, Dance & Cheer for a special winter performance!

JH Robbins Memorial Library Basement | 219 N Lincoln Ave

5:00pm

Grinch Cookie Parade

Family Photos with the Grinch

Gift wrapping

$2.00/child

free will donation; proceeds go to Caring Families

Ellsworth County Historical Society

6:00pm

The Lighting of the Tree & Caroling

Courtesy of City of Ellsworth

FREE Gift Wrapping for Gifts

Purchased Locally! (December 9 ONLY)

Bring your receipt from a local store dated December 9 (Ellsworth County) and your gift and the Historical Society will wrap it for free!

1pm-6pm

THANKS TO OUR PARTNERS ELE’S CORNER & HATTIE JO’S COFFEE HOUSE

Specialty Drinks:

You select your favorite coffee beverage

12 drinks for $40!

Liquid Marijuana

Long Island Iced Tea

Bahama Mama

Tequila Sunrise

Bulldog

Swamp Water

Moscow Mule

Cinnamon Toast Crunch

Powercat Punch

Double Cosmo

Irish Trash Can

Margarita

Purchase your punch card at Ele’s & Hattie Jos

Supplies are limited

THANKS TO OUR PARTNER SNACK SHACK!

Santa has a sweet tooth, and now you can enjoy yours at the Snack Shack!

Purchase a $20 card and receive a specialty sweet treat of your choosing for 12 days (offer good from Dec 1 -31; not required to make consecutive purchases)

Ice cream (small size)

Pies

Cakes

Brownies

Cookies

santa’s sweet treats

THANKS TO OUR PARTNER SONIC DRIVE IN!

Corporate Sponsors

Strategic Sponsors