The Mount Vernon-Lisbon Community Development Group (CDG) has announced that Mount Vernon’s 32nd annual Magical Night event will take place Thursday, Dec. 1, from 5 to 8 p.m. in Uptown Mount Vernon.
Volunteers from the Mount Vernon-Lisbon Community Development Group (CDG) have teamed with the City of Mount Vernon, City of Mount Vernon Parks & Rec, the First Street Community Center, local churches, and all Uptown businesses for this event that celebrates the beginning of the holiday shopping season.
“After a break from in-person activities due to the pandemic, the Magical Night Committee is pleased to announce the return to a live, in-person Magical Night event on the streets of Uptown Mount Vernon,” said Joe Jennison, Director of Main Street and Marketing for the Mount Vernon-Lisbon Community Development Group (CDG).
Mount Vernon’s annual Magical Night event will begin on the lawn of the First Street Community Center (FSCC), 221 First St. NE. At 5 p.m. on Dec. 1, Santa himself will be on hand to throw the switch unveiling Mount Vernon’s holiday lights. Musical entertainment will be provided by The Spirit of Christmas Carolers. Everyone is encouraged to take part in the sing along.
This will be followed by a “Holiday Showcase,” from Dance Arts Iowa at the FSCC Uptown Theatre at 6:30 and 7:15 p.m., as well as an art exhibit inside the FSCC featuring works by Mount Vernon Community Schools’ art students and music performances by students from Music Works Iowa and the Mount Vernon High School Concert Choir.
A wide range of events along Mount Vernon’s historic First Street that night include visits with Santa in the Mount Vernon Bank & Trust building, 206 First St. SW, and a Holiday Craft Bazaar in the lower level of City Hall, 213 First St. NW. Strolling carolers along First Street will be provided by the Mount Vernon United Methodist Church Praise Team Outreach.
Events scheduled to take place that night at First Presbyterian Church of Mount Vernon, 221 First St. NE, include cookie-making in the lower level sponsored by Mount Vernon Parks & Rec, and a Multicultural Holidays Celebration sponsored by the Office of Intercultural Life, Cornell College. Across the street, a Soup Supper and Cookie Walk will take place inside the United Methodist Church of Mount Vernon, 304 First St. SW.
The Marching Mustangs will be performing inside the Old Fire Station, 213 First St. NW, from 5 to 6 p.m. and outside, look for a meet-and-greet and candy cane giveaway with members of the Lisbon-Mount Vernon ambulance team.
The Magical Night Live Nativity at Memorial Park, 311 First St. NW, will include a lighted stage, live animals, and a choir. The popular event created, built and sponsored by St. Paul Lutheran Church volunteers, will be offered twice that evening with shows at 6:15 and 7 p.m., and in between each show, there will be opportunities for children and others to meet the actors and animals, and enjoy cookies and hot chocolate inside the next-door Visitor Center.
New this year will be an outdoor winter scene in Hilltop Pocket Park 110 First St. SW, Mount Vernon’s latest park in the middle of downtown. A former alley, Hilltop Pocket Park will be decorated with trees, a snow machine and will include a live photo opportunity with characters from the movie “Frozen.”
Also new this year is an “Animenagerie” exhibit inside the First Presbyterian Church of Mount Vernon, 301 First St. NW. These robotic attractions were created by CDG volunteer and former Disney Imagineer Tim Kelley, and have been created and collected over several Magical Nights throughout the past several holiday seasons. This will be the first time in Magical Night history that all eight of these mechanical art pieces have been displayed together in one evening.
Information on these and other Mount Vernon-Lisbon events is available at www.visitmvl.com
5 to 5:30 pm
Lighting Ceremony: Annual lighting of 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 building. Musical entertainment provided by The Spirit of Christmas Carolers. Everyone is encouraged to take part in the sing along.
5 to 7 p.m.
Youth Group Soup Supper, Cookie Walk and Sale at the Mount Vernon United Methodist Church, 304 First Street West. All proceeds to benefit Southeast Linn Community Center.
5 to 8 p.m.
Business Open House, visit local businesses, enjoy live music, snacks and begin your holiday shopping.
Luminaria light display throughout the entire length of the Magical Night festivities.
Photo opportunity with characters from “Frozen.” Inside Hilltop Pocket Park (the alley between Scarlett Boutique and The Sweet Factory), 110 First St. SW.
Make-and-Take cookie decorating workshop in the lower level of the First Presbyterian Church, 301 First St. NW, sponsored by Mount Vernon Parks & Rec. Also on the west side of the same space will be a Multicultural Holidays Celebration sponsored by the Office of Intercultural Life, Cornell College.
A Holiday Craft Bazaar and Bake Sale will take place in the basement of Mount Vernon City Hall, 213 First St. NW. This event continues Friday, Dec. 2, from 1 to 7 p.m.; and Saturday, Dec. 3, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Hot cocoa served by the Mount Vernon Fine Arts Association on the lawn of the FSCC, 221 First St. (NOTE: In case of bad weather, this activity will move to the 2nd Floor Library of the FSCC.)
5:30 to 6:30 p.m.
The Marching Mustangs will be performing inside the old fire station, 213 First St. NW, from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. and outside, look for a meet-and-greet and candy cane giveaway with members of the Lisbon-Mount Vernon ambulance team.
Living Window at the former Sing-A-Long, 100 First St. SE. This Nutcracker living window display is sponsored by Dance Arts Iowa.
5:30 to 8 p.m.
Visit with Santa, and enjoy holiday window displays, at Mount Vernon Bank & Trust, 206 First St. SW. While here, be sure to check out the Silent Basket Auction managed by the bank to help raise money for the night’s event.
6:15 and 7 p.m.
Live Nativity at the Gazebo in Memorial Park, 311 First St. NW, with hot chocolate and cookies at the Visitor Center, sponsored by St. Paul Lutheran Church.
6:30 and 7:15 p.m.
“Holiday Showcase” from Dance Arts Iowa at the Uptown Theater at the First Street Community Theater, 221 First St. NE. Also: Tickets will be sold onsite for Dance Arts Iowa’s full production of “The Nutcracker,” which will take place Dec. 11, at 2 p.m. at the Performing Art Center, 731 Palisades Road SW.
6:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Members of the Mount Vernon High School’s Concert Choir will perform from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. in the gym of the First Street Community Center, 221 First St. NE.