The Kimmswick Merchants Association is set to hold numerous events to ring in the holiday season.
The festivities include special shopping days with many of the Mississippi River town’s merchants offering discounts on items, free to attend holiday celebrations and a couple of ticketed events.
“We are so excited to have everyone come back to town,” said Debbie Troutman, Merchants Association president and owner of the Meant To Be shop, 116 Mill St. “We have a lot of people who return every year. It is a family tradition for a lot of the events that we do.”
The first holiday tradition is the Deer Widow’s Weekend, which will be held Friday through Sunday.
The shopping event coincides with the start of deer hunting season, and shoppers may donate a canned good at the Visitor Center, 314 Market St., or donate money at a participating business to receive a shopping passport, which has discounts for participating stores and restaurants.
Betteanne Smith, Kimmswick Merchants Association member and owner of Mississippi Mud Gallery and Gifts, 118 Market St., said donations are distributed to area food pantries.
“It is always a good kick off to holiday shopping,” Smith said. “We expect a lot of girlfriends coming down to shop that weekend.”
Smith said the Merchants Association has donated more than $1,000 and hundreds of pounds of food to local food pantries in the last few years.
“It has always been a nice turnout,” she said. “It is great that we are able to help local food pantries.”
Christmas Parade and Open House
The holiday season in Kimmswick swings into full gear on Nov. 23 with the annual Kimmswick Christmas Parade and Open House.
“Once Nov. 23 hits, we don’t stop until Christmas,” Troutman said.
Businesses and restaurants will be open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., and the town is decked out with Christmas decorations and luminaries are lit along Hwy. K.
Parade participants are asked to assemble between 10:15 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. in the Windsor Elementary School parking lot, 6003 Fifth St.
The parade procession starts at 11 a.m. with participants marching on Market Street to the Blue Owl Restaurant and Bakery, 6116 Second St.
The procession then turns onto Second Street before marching on Mill Street and Front Street, and the parade ends near the Christmas Haus store, 311 Elm St., Smith said.
Smith said about 20 organizations typically participate in the parade, and this year, the Oscar Mayer Wienermobile will be part of the parade.
“(The Wienermobile) will stay about an hour after the parade for people to take photos by,” she said. “That is a fun addition.”
Smith said Diana Nagy, Kimmswick Historical Society president, will be the grand marshal in this year’s parade. Smith said Kimmswick is richer for having Nagy as part of its community.
“She does so much to preserve the history of Kimmswick and sharing it with others,” Smith said. “She is always willing to open the museum and share the town’s history.”
Santa Claus, who will be in the parade, will be available for free photo opportunities from 1-8 p.m. at the Santa House located near the corner of Front and Market streets. Participants will need to take their own pictures, Smith said.
Santa Claus will take a break from the house to participate in the Christmas tree lighting ceremony at 4:45 p.m. near the Visitor Center.
Free horse-drawn trolley rides provided by Nobleshire Carriages of Millstadt, Ill., are available from 2-8 p.m. with pickups and drop offs at The Christmas Haus, 311 Elm St., and Mississippi Mud Gallery and Gifts, 118 Market St.
The Rivertown Sound Quartet performs throughout the day.
“It is probably the merchants’ favorite event of the year,” Smith said of the Christmas Parade and Open House. “It brings so much joy to the community. It is just fun to see the kids line the streets for the parade. It really feels like a Hallmark moment.”
Small Business Saturday
Many of Kimmswick’s businesses and restaurants will offer special deals from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Nov. 30. Smith said a list of special deals will be available at the Visitors Center.
The event started in 2010, and it was championed nationally by American Express, Smith said. She said information about the various deals is available at the Visitors Center.
“It is a fun shopping day,” Smith said. “It is a great day to support your local businesses. We really appreciate the way the community turns out on this particular day.”
Old Fashioned Christmas Festival and Kimmswick Cookie Walk
Smith said the Merchants Association expected tickets to sell out for the Cookie Walk, which will be held Dec. 5-8. She said 24 businesses and restaurants are participating in the walk.
Tickets cost $36 each and may be purchased, if available, at gokimmswick.com.
Smith said this year’s Cookie Walk, which will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 5; 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Dec. 6-7; and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Dec. 8. Those who have tickets receive a gift bag, receipt book and map to participating businesses, where they will receive a treat.
“It is a family tradition for many people, who come from throughout the St. Louis area,” she said of the cookie walk. “People will tell me this is my 14th cookie walk, or that they come every year. I think the majority of our tickets are sold to people who have come for years and years.
“It brings a lot of joy to the whole weekend because people are so happy to get a bag of cookies, and they get a recipe book so they can make their own versions of the cookies they sample.”
Smith said there is still plenty to do during the festival, which is held Dec. 6-8.
Businesses will be open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Dec. 6-7 and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Dec. 8.
The Rivertown Sound Quartet will perform throughout the town over the weekend.
Santa Claus will be available for photo opportunities from 3-8 p.m. Dec. 6; 2-8 p.m. Dec. 7; and noon to 4 p.m. Dec. 8 at the Santa House located near the corner of Front and Market streets.
“The cookie walk is just one part of that weekend,” Smith said. “You can still come down and enjoy the festivities, restaurants and shopping.”
Kimmswick Christmas Elf Hunt
The event, which requires a ticket, is entering its fifth year, and it will be held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Dec. 14-15 and Dec. 21-22. Tickets cost $10, and participants receive a story book, elf guide and gift bag.
Troutman said the name for the event was changed from Elf on the Shelf to the Kimmswick Christmas Elf Hunt because of copyright issues on social media platforms.
However, the event still includes hunting for a hidden elf at participating businesses.
“It is growing,” Troutman said. “It is so enjoyable for all family members. For some families, each family member gets a book and does the hunt. It is fun for all ages.”
Troutman said 350 tickets are available, and tickets may be purchased at gokimmswick.com or the Visitor Center.
Santa Claus will again be available for photo opportunities at the Santa House located near the corner of Front and Market streets.
He will be available from noon to 4 p.m. Dec. 14; 1-4 p.m. Dec. 15; and noon to 4 p.m. Dec. 21-22
Troutman said children may also donate a new, unwrapped toy at the Visitor Center to receive a $5 gift certificate to use at participating businesses.