Experience Victorian Christmas this weekend

By: 
Leslie Silverman
 
 
The tradition of Victorian Christmas will once again start the holiday season in Keystone.
 
Festivities begin with the Victorian Christmas Parade Friday, Nov. 18, at 6 p.m., beginning at Swanzey Street and ending at the Keystone Community Center.
 
The parade has  entries and plenty of candy for kids young and old alike. Santa will also be in the parade, spreading cheer to all.
 
On Saturday, Nov. 19, the town offers a vendor fair to visitors and locals, allowing people to start shopping for unique gifts and stocking stuffers.
 
There are 15 registered vendors offering crafts, wreathes, jewelry and wooden specialties.  Concessions including nuts and treats will also be available, with proceeds benefiting the Keystone Town Library.
 
Shoppers can take in the beautiful festival of trees that also fills the Keystone Community Center gym where the vendor fair takes place. Multiple trees and wreaths will be on hand, created by various people and organizations around town. 
 
A silent auction will also be held. Movie packs from Golden Tickets and AMC, meal certificates from local dining establishments and decor and souvenir items will all be bid upon.
 
The vendor fair begins at 9 a.m. and finishes at 2:30 p.m.
 
But the day is far from over at that time. 
 
The town in conjunction with the Keystone Chamber of Commerce is also hosting a potluck dinner, sponsored by Big Thunder Gold Mine and Grill, RiverFront Broadcasting and Texas Roadhouse. Texas Roadhouse is providing the main course which features their “famous Texas Roadhouse buns and butter,” according to Robin Pladson,  director of the  chamber of commerce.
 
Attendees who join are asked to bring sides, vegetables, fruit trays or a dessert.
 
Pladson  notes it is a community and area wide event. 
 
“Bring what you can and enjoy the remarkable weekend of fun,” she said.
 
Dinner begins at 5 p.m. followed by the traditional turkey bingo which starts promptly at 6 p.m. The game usually attracts a packed house, competing to win a Thanksgiving turkey or ham.
 
According to Sandi McLain, the tree and  silent auction winners will be announced at the conclusion of the Turkey Bingo. 
 
“Holy Terror Days, Inc. sponsors both events. Money earned from both go to families in need during Christmas,” McLain said.
 
“Cards to Walmart and toys will be distributed before Christmas, along with some food,” she said.
 
Referrals from the library, the two churches and the Lions Club in Hill City provide McLain and Holy Terror Days, Inc. with the names of families in need.
 
Holy Terror Days, Inc. has done this fundraiser for over 10 years. 
 
“It takes a team to have this event happen,” McLain said.
 
Pladson calls the festivities a “very fun and enjoyable event for everyone, young and old. See the people you haven’t seen in a while and make new friends.”

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