Tis the season for carriage rides, Santa Claus and Christmas carols!
The Waterloo Merchants Group is sponsoring the 24th Annual Historic Christmas Walk!
Christmas lovers of all ages are invited to attend.
Jim Baker of the Courthouse Cafe and Collectibles and Tom Clark of Clark's Country Oaks are the co-chairmen this year. With the assistance of all of the merchants a variety of events are being planned.
The day's events will begin at 11:00 a.m. with local businesses opening their doors with special offers and samples. The stores will remain open until 5:00 p.m. Each store will be decorated for the holidays. Many of the stores have small giveaways for those who attend.
Customers visit each of the eight stores and get a card stamped. At the last store visited the card is collected for a drawing. The drawing will be for a total of $750.00 in gift certificates. The gift certificates can be redeemed at any of the participating stores.
The first prize is a $200.00 gift certificate. The second prize is $100.00. Four $50.00 and ten $25.00 prizes will be also be awarded.
The afternoon is full of Christmas cheer. At noon Santa will open up Santa's Cottage and will be hearing the wish list of children until 5:00 p.m. The cottage is located on the corner of Main and Third Streets. Parents are welcome to bring their camera for pictures.
From 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. the Waterloo Municipal Band will be playing a Christmas Concert at the courthouse bandstand. Two free carriage rides will be available all afternoon. The carriage rides are sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce and Clark's Country Oaks.
The event is a way for local businesses to showcase their products to area customers. People who arrive early might want to enjoy breakfast at the Courthouse Care & Collectibles on Main St. The cafe will also be serving piping hot cider and hot chocolate to warm up everyone.
The cafe is also hosting the Monroe County History Museum that Sunday. The museum is raffling chances to an antique doll house. The doll house will be on display at the cafe. The drawing will be at 5:00 p.m. Elyce (Contemporary Christian Singer) will be sing christian song selections and Christmas carols at the cafe.
Brownies will be selling Girl Scout cookies at Echoes of the Past. And Back on the Rack will be collecting canned goods for the Food Pantry.
The Christmas Walk is limited to eight downtown merchants. So customers will have plenty time to leisurely shop. The merchants are Back on the Rack, Clark's Country Oaks, the Courthouse Cafe and Collectibles, Drury House, Echoes of the Past Antiques, Mill Street Treasures, Reime Jewelers and Gifts, and Vickie's Hallmark.
For those difficult people on your Christmas list Waterloo Merchant Group gift certificates can be purchased at Courthouse Cafe and Collectibles, Echoes of the Past Antiques, and Reime Jewelers and Gifts. Any denomination is available, and they can be redeemed at any of the above eight stores.
Mark your calendar today to attend the Christmas Walk and enjoy the best in small town holiday atmosphere.
Merchants Participating;
Clarks Country Oaks, 110 S. Church St. Open Tue-Sat (618) 939-3659
Courthouse Café & Collectibles, 219 S. Main St Open Daily (618) 939-5995
Echoes of the Past Antiques, 116 E. 3rd St., Open Tue-Sat (618) 939-6160
Mill Street Treasures, 125 W. Mill St., Open Mon-Sat (618) 939-1733
Reime Jewelers & Gifts, 119 S. Main St. Open Mon-Sat (618) 939-6517
Back on the Rack, 123 W. Mill St., Open Tue-Sat (618) 939-0123
Drury House, 695 N. Moore St., Open Mon-Sat (618) 939-4450
Vickie's Hallmark, 121 S. Main St., Open Mon-Sat (618) 939-8343