The two events ring in the holiday season in Mount Vernon and Lisbon, and are the beginning of Mount Vernon and Lisbon’s Hometown Holidays, a month-long celebration of the holidays.

New this year, will be a 5 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 1, holiday tree lighting ceremony at the East end of Mount Vernon’s Main Street, and the unveiling of a new project in Uptown Mount Vernon, a Holiday Window Display giveaway.

Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony

Two large evergreen trees on the lawn of the First Street Community Center, 221 First St. NE, have been outfitted with professional-grade LED holiday lights, designed and installed by the volunteers of the Mount Vernon-Lisbon Community Development Group Design Committee. At 5 pm. on Dec. 1, Santa himself will be throwing the switch unveiling two bright and festive community holiday trees.

Holiday Window Display

Every day between Magical Night and Christmas Eve, another gift will be unwrapped in the Holiday Window Display at 100 First St. SE, in the heart of Mount Vernon’s Uptown, revealing items from local area retailers. Shoppers are encouraged to register at participating retailers, at the Holiday Window Display itself, or at the Mount Vernon Visitor Center. After all registrations have been collected, one person and their family will win all 25 gifts on display in the Holiday Window. Shoppers can register as often as they like, but must be 21 or older to claim prizes. Participating retailers, CDG Board, staff and CDG Design Committee members, and their families, are not eligible to win.

Lisbon Holiday Jubilee

Lisbon’s Holiday Jubilee Light Parade will take place at 5:30 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 3, and wind through downtown Lisbon ending at the Lisbon History Center, 102 E. Main St. Participants are asked to line up at Lisbon Community School District, 235 W. School St. The parade’s only requirement is that each entry must have some type of lighting.  No need to register. The parade will be followed by a Soup Supper at Southeast Linn Community Center, and Santa Claus at the Lisbon History Center.

“This entire community gets together to create Mount Vernon Magical Night, Lisbon Holiday Jubilee and an entire month of Hometown Holidays events,” says Merridy Reth, Chair of the Magical Night Committee. “With lights and reindeer and a magical Holiday Window Display giveaway, there is something for everyone this holiday in Mount Vernon and Lisbon. Come out and find out why we are one of the Top 10 Coolest Small Towns in America!”

Below is a list of upcoming holiday events in Mount Vernon and Lisbon.

Saturday, Nov. 26

10 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Children’s event: Free decorating of cookies and free children’s movies at Lisbon History Center, 102 E. Main St., Lisbon

Tuesday, Nov. 29

6 a.m. to 9 a.m.

Stuff the Bus: WMT Radio will be parked on the corner by Bauman & Company, 124 First Street SW, Mount Vernon. Bring your toys, clothes or cash for donation.

Dec 1 through Dec 24

“24 Days of Christmas” Holiday Window Display and Giveaway

One family will win 24 gifts from Mount Vernon area retailers as part of the Community Development Group Design Committee’s Holiday Window Display, 100 First St. SE, Mount Vernon. Pick up an entry form at participating retailers, register by dropping your completed form into the mail slot at the Display. Must be 21 to claim prizes.

Dec 1 through Dec 25

Community Lighting Contest in Lisbon

Prizes awarded in three categories: Best Usage of Lights, Whimsical and Religious. First place each category, $100; second place each category, $50.

Thursday, Dec. 1 Magical Night

4 to 8 p.m.

Cookie Decorating: children’s event to take place at First Street Community Center Library, 211 First St. NE. Sponsored by Mount Vernon Parks and Recreation.

4 to 8 p.m.

The Snowflake Chandelier: Stop into the First Street Community Center Gym and check out the Snowflake Chandelier, an art project created by the children of Mount Vernon and the Community Development Group Design Committee. Cider and/or hot chocolate served inside.

5 to 5:30 p.m.

Lighting of the Pine Trees: First Annual lighting of the double pines at the First Street Community Center (FSCC), 221 First Street East. Join Santa and Mrs. Claus as Santa pulls the BIG Switch to light up the double pines. Everyone is encouraged to join in and sing holiday songs.

5 to 6 p.m.

Roasting Marshmallows: After the double pine tree-lighting ceremony all are welcome to gather around the fire at the dock area at the FSCC and roast Marshmallows.

5 to 7 p.m.

Soup Supper: Indulge in soups and conversation at the Mount Vernon United Methodist Church, 304 First Street West. Music provided by students of Heart Consort Music.

5 to 8 p.m.

Holiday Craft Bazaar and Bake Sale

This event returns to Mount Vernon City Hall, 213 1st Street NW, for three days, beginning Thursday, Dec. 1, from 5 to 8 p.m.

5:30 to 8 p.m.

Merchant Open Houses: Live music, treats, drawings and wonderful gifts at most of the stores and shops along First Street.

5:00 to 7:00 p.m.

Reindeer: Stop by and visit Santa’s reindeer near Shepley Pharmacy, 113 First St. NE. and also receive a bag of reindeer food to take home. Sponsored by Hills Bank.

5:30-6:30 p.m.

The Nutcracker Living Window: Dance Arts Iowa presents this living window at the Lincoln Café, 117 First St. NW.

5:30 to 8 p.m.

Pictures with Santa: Have your complimentary picture taken with Santa and Mrs. Claus in the winter wonderland of Mount Vernon Bank & Trust, 206 First St. SW. Sponsored by Investment Centers of America. Caroling will be provided by Mt. Vernon High School and treats will be provided by the Mount Vernon-Lisbon Community Club.

6:15 and 7 p.m.

Live Nativity: Experience a live nativity performed by St. Paul Lutheran Church at the Memorial Park Gazebo, 311 First St. NW. Hot chocolate and cookies provided at the nearby Visitor’s Center.

7 to 7:45 p.m.

Dance Arts Iowa Magical Night Showcase: Dance Arts Iowa will hold a dance revue in the theatre in the First Street Community Center, 221 First St. NE.

Thursday, Dec. 1 through Saturday, Dec. 3: Holiday Craft Bazaar and Craft Sale

The event returns to the Mount Vernon City Hall, 213 First St. NW, Thursday, Dec. 1, from 5 to 8 p.m.; Friday, Dec. 2, from 1 to 8 p.m.; and Saturday, Dec. 3, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Friday, Dec. 2: Santa at Bridge Community Bank, Mount Vernon

4 to 6 p.m.

Santa will be visiting Bridge Bank , 302 Hwy 1 SE, Mount Vernon

Saturday, Dec. 3: Santa at Hills Bank, Mount Vernon

9 a.m. to 11 a.m.

Santa will be visiting Hills Bank, 720 First Ave. SE, Mount Vernon

Saturday, Dec. 3: Winter Farmer’s Market

11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Winter’s Farmer’s Market takes place every other Saturday, through April, in the First Street Community Center Gym, 221 First St. NE, Mount Vernon.

Saturday, Dec. 3: Holiday Jubilee, Downtown Lisbon

5:15 p.m.

Holiday Jubilee Light Parade: Parade through downtown Lisbon ending at the Lisbon History Center, 102 E. Main St. Participants are asked to line up at Lisbon Community School District, 235 W. School St. Only requirement for parade is that each entry must have some type of lighting.  No need to register.

5:30 p.m.

Soup Supper at Southeast Linn Community Center, 108 S. Washington St., Lisbon. Event managed by the Boy Scouts.

5:45 p.m.

Hayrack rides to see the lights in Lisbon: public is asked to line up along South Washington.

5:45 p.m. (after the parade)

Santa: Santa will meet with the children at the Lisbon History Center, 1002 E. Main St., Must enter through side door.  Also after the parade Hot Chocolate will be available at several locations in downtown Lisbon.

Saturday, Dec. 3, at 7 p.m.: Odyssey Theatre presents “Oliver!”

Sunday, Dec. 4, at 2 p.m. Odyssey Theatre presents “Oliver!”

Odyssey Theatre presents its 10th Annual Holiday Show at the Mount Vernon District Auditorium, 525 Palisades Road SW, Mount Vernon. $6 at the door. More information available through (319) 213-0147.

Saturday, Dec. 3

7:30 p.m.

Holiday Choral Concert

King Chapel, on the Cornell College campus, 600 First St. SW, Mount Vernon

Thursday, Dec. 8: Project 60 (holiday meal for citizens ages 60 and above)

11 a.m. Poinsettia Bingo (bingo game to win a Poinsettia)

Noon Lisbon Chorus and Jazz Band perform, followed by turkey dinner with all the trimmings

All Project 60 events to take place in the Lisbon High School gym

RSVP to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or through (319) 455-2659

Sunday, Dec. 11

2 p.m.

Winter Choir Concert at Mount Vernon Community School Auditorium, 525 Palisades Road SW

4 p.m.

Winter Band/Jazz Band and Orchestra Concert at Mount Vernon Community School Auditorium, 525 Palisades Road SW

Wednesday, Dec. 14, Cornell’s Candlelight Christmas Service

6:30 p.m.

The annual Candlelight Christmas Service will include the Chamber Singers, Advent and Christmas carols, prayers of holiday love and peace, and a hope-filled sermon by the Rev. Catherine Quehl-Engel. Everyone is welcome.

Saturday, Dec. 17: Winter Farmer’s Market

11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Winter’s Farmer’s Market takes place every other Saturday, through April, in the First Street Community Center, 221 First St. NE, Mount Vernon.

7:30 p.m.

Eastern Iowa Brass Band at Mount Vernon Community School Auditorium, 525 Palisades Road SW

Sunday, Dec. 18: The Dance Place recital

2 p.m.

Join Dorothy Topie and her students as they present an original story for the holidays titled “Legend at the Moonbeams” at the Mount Vernon District Auditorium, 525 Palisades Road SW, Mount Vernon. Free.

Holiday Happenings:

Daily from Nov. 17 through Dec. 24

Avenue of Trees: Exhibit of trees in the library at the First Street Community Center, 221 First St. NE, Mount Vernon. Stroll through the library and enjoy individually decorated trees, each with its own unique theme and style.

Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Saturdays, Dec. 3 through 24

Holiday exhibit at the Lisbon History Center, 102 E. Main St., Lisbon

Information on these and other Mount Vernon-Lisbon events is available at www.visitmvl.com

About the Mount Vernon-Lisbon Community Development Group

The Mount Vernon-Lisbon Community Development Group exists to improve the social and economic well-being of Mount Vernon and Lisbon by capitalizing on their unique identity, assets and character. Mount Vernon was selected as a Main Street community in 2008, and practices economic development within the context of historic preservation.

Mount Vernon was named one of America’s “10 Coolest Small Towns” by Budget Travel magazine in October of 2009. More information is available at www.visitmvl.com

About Main Street

The Main Street Approach is a copyrighted process of the National Trust for Historic Preservation.  The Program has been used in Iowa since 1986 with a total of 56 communities having participated.  Mount Vernon was selected as a Main Street community on March 4, 2008 by the State of Iowa, after submitting a comprehensive application and presenting to a select board of reviewers.