Santa and Mrs. Claus stopped at Floralcrest where they visited with 2017 Sweet Corn Festival Mini Queen London Jones and Mini King Camden Pawlowski. While there, everyone enjoyed seeing all the Christmas decorations and beautiful poinsettias, a sure sign that the holidays are fast approaching. As Mendota businesses get ready for the Mendota Area Chamber of Commerce’s “A Mendota Christmas” on Saturday, Dec. 2, Santa reminded London and Camden that he and Mrs. Claus will also return to town that day and invited them and all children to visit him in the Santa House, which will be located in the First State Bank parking lot from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. (Reporter photo)

MENDOTA - The feeling of Christmas will be in the air as the Mendota Area Chamber of Commerce hosts “A Mendota Christmas” on Saturday, Dec. 2. This special holiday celebration encourages everyone to come out for an afternoon of holiday cheer and to get started with their Christmas shopping. Mendota shops will be decorated and ready for Christmas featuring gifts for everyone on your list.

The festivities will kick off at 10 a.m. with a Holiday Craft & Vendor Show, featuring over 30 craftspeople and vendors displaying many ideas for everyone’s gift giving needs along with a Holiday Bake Sale. The show will take place in the lower level of the Mendota Elks Lodge, 707 Indiana Ave., downtown.

Holiday Bake Sales, part of Mrs. Santa’s Cookie Sales, will be held at Mendota financial institutions that morning as well. They include:

Eureka Savings Bank – Sauk Valley Humane Society & Mendota Kiwanis Club Pecan Sale

First State Bank – Holy Cross Alter Society

Midland States Bank – Come As You Are Baptist Church

These groups will sell their holiday cookies, candies, breads, and pecans in the bank lobbies until noon.

Many fun activities are planned that afternoon.

* Pony rides will be offered from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Indiana Avenue in front of the Mendota Elks Lodge.

* Mendota Bible Church will give away free candy canes and cookies next to the Post Office from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m.

* Horse drawn carriage rides will be given free around the downtown area from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. The carriage will depart from the post office at the corner Washington Street (Rt. 34) and Indiana Avenue.

* “Touch A Truck” will be located on Illinois Avenue from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. Children of all ages are invited to explore and get an up close look at vehicles from the Mendota Fire Department.

* Santa and Mrs. Claus will listen to children’s wishes at Santa’s house in the First State Bank parking lot from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m.

* The Mendota Optimist Club will be at the bank parking lot serving hotdogs and hot chocolate.

* Through a special project by Jennifer (Foulk) Bast, former Mendota resident, and the Graves-Hume Public Library, children who visit Santa will receive an Usborne Book following their visit with Santa. This will take place at a booth in the First State Bank parking lot sponsored by the Graves-Hume Library.

* The Come As You Are Baptist Church will give away prizes when you complete a giant puzzle in the FSB parking lot from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Parents are encouraged to bring a camera and take holiday photos of their children at the various activities. Admission to all events is free, but the Chamber will collect free will donations to benefit the Mendota Operation Elf Action program, which provides Christmas gifts to children ages 1-13, whose families need assistance this holiday season.

Shoppers are reminded that Mendota’s Shop Local Promotion kicked off on Nov. 18 and will continue through Dec. 31 at participating businesses. During this time shoppers will receive a sticker for every $10 they spend in a participating merchant’s business. Shop Local cards are available at participating business or at the Chamber office (names of participating business are listed on the back of Shop Local cards). Customers simply place the stickers on their cards and when cards are full (must contain at least three participating businesses), bring them to the Chamber office for a chance to win valuable prizes.

Mendota Shop Local Businesses will give away four gift baskets. The Grand Prize Basket will be worth over $1,000 in gift cards and merchandise and three other baskets will be worth over $300 each. In addition, $20 Mendota Gift Certificates will also be awarded to 10 additional drawing winners.

Shoppers may turn in as many cards as they wish by the deadline, Jan. 4, 2018 at 4 p.m. The drawing for these great gift baskets will take place on Jan. 5.

Remember to get your stickers when shopping at participating businesses during “A Mendota Christmas” on Saturday, Dec. 2 and throughout the holiday season.