The beautiful trees in Gladbrook’s 18th annual Festival of Trees. PHOTO BY JEANNE PAUSTIAN

GLADBROOK – Gladbrook’s 26th tree lighting was held on Wednesday, Nov. 29. It was a calm clear winter night. Young and old alike really enjoyed the “Gingerbread Christmas” theme.

The upper level of the City Center was alive with the laughter of children as they visited Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus and received their “Santa Sacks.” The kids loved getting their pictures taken with the “Gingerbread Man.”

Everyone was amazed by the beautifully decorated trees they viewed as they walked under the Gingerbread Christmas billboard in the Festival of Trees. People enjoyed trolling down the two paths lined with 43 trees and displays. Eighty kids and adults from the community enjoyed decorating gingerbread houses in every color and design imaginable.

The trees were judged the night before the tree lighting. The winners were: Religious-Kids Club; Organizations-Gladbrook Fire & Rescue; Business-Independent Living; Youth-Gladbrook Jr. Auxiliary; Miscellaneous-Barb Smith; Theme-Gladbrook Clover Kids; and Judges Choice-The Knotty Mama.

All ages enjoyed riding on the beautifully decorated wagon pulled by a team of black Percherons belonging to Plume Hill Carriage Service, Newton. The line was long as 291 enjoyed their wagon ride on Gladbrook Main Street. The trolley rides were sponsored by First Interstate Bank and Goos Implement.

The Dan and Sam DeWitt family with Santa. PHOTO BY JEANNE PAUSTIAN

Outside hot dogs and hot apple cider were served.

Before the lighting of the Christmas tree members of the GMG chorus sang several traditional Christmas carols. They ended with “Silent Night.” The Gladbrook Commercial Club would like to extend a big thank you to the students for sharing their music with us. The kids were excited to lead the countdown to the lighting of the all-new white tree made out of strings of clear lights.

Every kid won a prize as over 200 prizes were given away. Many adults won prizes, as well.

The lucky winners of the $25 trade dollars were Hneiva Langenbau, Doug Rowe, Kristi Carlson, and Tony Dixon.

The Festival of Trees will be on display in the upstairs of the City Center through December, Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m.-3:30 p.m.; Friday from 8 a.m.-3:30 p.m. and 7-9 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday from 2-4 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. The City Center will be closed on Dec. 24 and 25.

Enjoying the “Gingerbread Man” were Paola, Olivia, Emma, and Zach. PHOTO BY JEANNE PAUSTIAN

You will be very pleasantly surprised when you visit the “Festival of Trees,” so bring your family, friends and neighbors.

We would like to thank all the businesses, organizations, churches and individuals that participated.

The tree lighting activities are sponsored by the Gladbrook Commercial Club. We wish everyone a happy holiday season.

Jr. Auxiliary member Brayla Davis standing by the Jr. Auxiliary patriotic wreath in the Festival of Trees. The entry was titled “Honoring Our Veterans” and it won first place in the youth category. PHOTO BY JEANNE PAUSTIAN

The $25 trade dollars winners pictured on Dec. 1 include (l-r) Tony Dixon, Barb Petty, Hneiva Langenbua, and Kristi Carlson. PHOTO BY JEANNE PAUSTIAN

Members of the GMG High School choir perform following the lighting of the Gladbrook tree on December 1 including (l-r) Rexanna Millard, Anna Mussig, Joss Warnell, Mary Hunt, Delaney McCubbin, Violet Jackson, and Caiden Slifer. PHOTO BY JEANNE PAUSTIAN

Gladbrook’s holiday tree made of strings of clear lights is lit for the first time on Dec. 1. PHOTO BY JEANNE PAUSTIAN

The Blair and Beth Murty family with Santa and Mrs. Claus. PHOTO BY JEANNE PAUSTIAN

The First Interstate Bank transformed their little park into “Candy Cane Lane. Pictured is Sydney Smith pretending to be a “Gingerbread Girl.” PHOTO BY JEANNE PAUSTIAN

Hannah Thompson and Vinny were having fun at the tree lighting. Little brother, Tucker, was in the back of the stroller. PHOTO BY JEANNE PAUSTIAN

Travis and Katie with their baby Brinlyn, and Beth Murty with her kids Cooper, Baylee, Kollin, and Jerren, were all bundled up enjoying the fun at the Gladbrook Tree Lighting. PHOTO BY JEANNE PAUSTIAN