Hometown Holiday Happenings

EDITOR’S NOTE: Share your holiday event with the readers of the Tri-City Record by emailing record@tricityrecord.com or calling the office at 269-463-6397.

Coloma American

Legion collects food for needy families

Beginning after Thanksgiving, the Coloma American Legion Post 362, 6505 Red Arrow Hwy., will be collecting non perishable food items for their annual Christmas boxes for needy families. Collections end Dec. 16.

The Post is open 3 to 8 p.m. Tuesdays through Sundays. They are closed on Mondays.

Hartford & Lawrence United Methodist churches have special holiday events

Beginning this Sunday, Nov. 23, Hartford United Methodist Church, 425 E. Main is holding the first of several special events. They will be honoring those who serve as first responders during their morning worship service at 9 a.m.

On November 23 they are also conducting a food drive for Cooperating Ministries Food Pantry located at the Hartford UMC. The food pantry was established many years ago when several churches in the area joined together to provide food for those who were struggling with food scarcity. The Cooperating Ministries give out food on a weekly basis to families. They distribute food every Thursday from 3 to 6 p.m.

On the 23rd the food donations will be brought forward and blessed over during worship. Donations are accepted in monetary form or with food.

December specials

On Friday, Dec. 5 and Dec. 19, the Hartford UMC will be showing movies at 6 p.m. The first week is “Best Christmas Pageant Ever” and the second week is “Holy Night” (The Chosen). Lawrence United Methodist Church will show “Holy Night” on Thursday, Dec. 11 at 6 p.m.

Monday, Dec. 22 at 6 p.m. is a Blue Christmas Service in Hartford for those who have experienced loss. On Wednesday, Dec. 24 at 4 p.m. in Hartford and 7 p.m. in Lawrence are the church’s Christmas Eve Services. The public is invited to all the special events.

Decatur Holiday

Arts & Crafts Show, Nov. 29

The 43rd Annual Decatur Holiday Arts & Crafts Show will be held on Saturday, Nov. 29 at Decatur Public Schools. The event is sponsored by the Decatur Athletic Boosters. Show times are 9 a.m. until 4 p.m.

They will again this year sponsor a food drive to benefit local charity, Decatur Human Services. As admission to the show they are asking everyone to donate non-perishable food items.

The show will feature many unique Christmas items, stocking stuffers and many one of-a-kind gifts for family and friends. The show is considered one of the largest in the area. Many new and exciting artists and crafters are exhibiting this year. The Presbyterian Women will have their annual quilt raffle and bake sale and the Dowagiac Lions Club will be selling their candy and nuts.

All proceeds from the show go directly into the Decatur Athletic Boosters general fund and are used to purchase uniforms and equipment for all Decatur Athletes. Lunch will be served by the booster volunteers throughout the day.

North Berrien Historical Museum Holiday Open House, Dec. 5-7

North Berrien Historical Museum once again will have their popular Holiday Open House for 2025 starting on Friday, Dec. 5 and concluding on Sunday, Dec. 7. Events on Friday begin at 1 p.m. with a holiday craft. Gingerbread house decorating ($8/kit), model train town and scavenger hunt is held all three days. The Coloma school choir will perform from 3:30-4:30 p.m. on Friday.

A full day of holiday fun on Saturday starts at 11 a.m. and goes until 4 p.m. Santa and Mrs. Claus visits Saturday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., also on Sunday. At 11:30 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. is a chili cook-off with live music. The Coloma Public Library will have holiday stories from 2:30 – 4 p.m., at the museum.

On Sunday, the museum is open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Visitors can decorate gingerbread houses, see the model train town, take the scavenger hunt, visit with the Clauses, hear holiday stories and from 2 – 3 p.m. watch the John Dudley Magic Show.

The museum is located at 300 Coloma Avenue in Coloma.

FREE Breakfast with Santa, Dec. 6

Breakfast with Santa will be at the Coloma Rod and Gun Club, 6145 Angling Rd., Saturday, Dec. 6 from 9 a.m. to noon. “Pictures with Santa” is 9 to 11 a.m.; bring your own camera.

Kids eat for free up to age 14 and the cost is $5 for anyone 15 years old and over. Pancakes, eggs, sausage, and pick a gift while supplies last.

Watervliet’s Hometown Christmas Celebration, December 6

Warm your hands by the fire and enjoy some holiday music while the snow flies in Watervliet at the Hometown Christmas Celebration on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025. To begin the day of celebration, the 2025 Snow Court Crowning will take place at noon in Main Street Oasis Park. Cast your votes at B&B Grocery, Watervliet Wesco or Sidetrack Café II until Friday, Dec. 5.

Afternoon events include a Holiday Bazaar from 1 to 5 p.m. at the Watervliet Fire Department with crafter and vendor booths - plan to attend and “Shop Local.” Vendor tables are available for $25. Contact Heather at 249-561-9638 to claim a spot.

Also earlier in the day downtown is the 3rd Annual Vintage Snowmobile Show, inviting old and new sleds to be on display from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Oasis Park. All sleds are welcome! Contact Brian at 269-355-2358.

Visit Santa and the Mrs. at Next Door Events, 340 North Main from 2-5 p.m. While kiddos are waiting they will be able to decorate some Christmas Cookies. Bring the whole family and take a picture with Santa and The Grinch!

The new Snow Royalty will begin their reign by participating in the Hometown Lighted Christmas Parade scheduled for a 5:30 p.m. start from Saylor’s Pizza and ending at Arclight Brewery. At the conclusion of the parade, Santa and Mr. Mattson’s Elementary Choir will make their way to the community Christmas Tree at Oasis Park where the choir will perform and the Watervliet City Christmas Tree will be lit.

Be sure not to miss live mannequins in store windows which can be viewed beginning at 6:15 p.m., from evening horse-drawn carriage rides through town. Contact Amy at 269-876-1326 for live mannequin signup. From 5 to 7:30 families can warm up by the many sidewalk firepits and enjoy cookies and hot cocoa provided by the Watervliet Fire Department.

Anyone looking to get something to eat on Saturday the Sidetrack Café II is extending their hours until 8 p.m. with specials. Ben’s Pretzel Truck will be in town from 5 to 10 p.m.

Capping off all the Hometown Christmas celebrating is a performance by Big Ben and the Burly Boys at Arclight Brewery beginning at 8 o’clock.

24th Annual Christmas in Hartford, Dec. 6

The Hartford Lions Club, Hartford Public Library and the Greater Hartford Area Chamber of Commerce are pleased to announce that the 24th Annual Christmas in Hartford will be held on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025 from 5 to 8 p.m.

This year’s festivities will include a Lighted Christmas Parade, free pictures with Santa and Mrs. Claus, free books, a LEGO Christmas Village, free crafts, free cookies and the Festival of Trees – all hosted at the Hartford Public Library.

The library will remain open on Dec. 6, 2025, so visitors can stay in town for the Lighted Truck Parade, which will pass through downtown around 7:30 p.m. The Greater Hartford Area Chamber of Commerce will be selling hot dogs, hot chocolate and popcorn during the event.

Get involved in Watervliet’s Lighted Christmas Parade!

Organizers are looking for fun, festive entries to make this year’s Watervliet Hometown Christmas Lighted Parade shine bright! Everyone is invited on Saturday, Dec. 6 at 5:30 p.m. for the annual event.

Whether it’s a lighted float, band, church group, business, golf cart, festive pet, or any creative idea — they would love to have the entry join the holiday magic!

Sign up at https://forms.gle/S6tCWU2rzyuCM1uJ8.

For more information, call or text Shannon at (269) 861-5213.

Winter fundraising bake sale and silent auction, Dec. 11

Buy an angel in a love one’s name

The Auxiliary Christmas Tree of Love is again in the Watervliet hospital entrance. Community members can purchase an angel in memory of, or in honor of a special person for $11; after the holiday they can take the angel home.

The Watervliet Hospital Auxiliary is going to hold a bake sale for their winter fundraiser. It will be on Thursday, Dec. 11, 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. in Classroom C at the hospital. Expect to find homemade cookies, cake, and more. There will also be a silent auction.