Churchill County holiday events today and upcoming

Wintertime celebrations are popping up around Fallon, from school concerts and caroling to today’s tree lighting and a city open house including Fallon winning “Favorite Town” and launching their new website.

There are also plenty of opportunities to witness Christmas illumination, find Christmas gifts and donate to Toys for Tots.

“It’s a special time of year,” said Jane Moon, executive director of Tourism & Special Events for the Fallon Convention & Tourism Authority. “It engages the entire community, not just the people who might be interested in biking or farm-to-table. It touches everybody in our community.”

Upcoming events:

Churchill County School District dance teams perform today at Lahontan Elementary School and Northside Early Learning Center. Performances include holiday music, costumes and a Christmas line dance, featuring the high school swing team, the middle and high schools’ ballroom clubs and the younger children’s booster teams. Lahontan’s kindergarteners’ show is from 9:55-10:15 a.m., and the first-grade show is 10:20-10:40 a.m. NELC has their visit from the older students’ dance crews from about 12:30-1 p.m.

Sagebrush Sisters is having its Fine Art & Craft Boutique today from 3-8 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. at the Old Post Office. Admission is free, and there will be new vendors and AAUW Candy Ladies along with live entertainment. The Sagebrush Sisters was formed to support local artists in their creative endeavors and also provide charitable donations to the community.

The city of Fallon is hosting a special open house today, boasting food and a meet-and-greet at the newly renovated City Hall and Douglass House from 4-7 p.m. The mayor and Fallon City Council members Bob Erickson, Kelly Frost and James Richardson will be available. The city’s new website is also going live with a chance to win one of five iPads via Facebook. City Hall visitors can also receive a Live Local Fallon “wildcard” play stamp.

Then at 5:30 p.m. in the City Hall courtyard, there is a presentation of the “Favorite Town” award from Nevada Magazine; Fallon is the winner of the “Tour Around Nevada” contest featured in the November/December issue.

From 5-9 p.m. today, the Churchill Arts Council has its Lahontan Valley Invitation, showcasing all local artists’ work (available for purchase). The Art Center will also launch its new show of artist Jerry Iverson’s large-scale abstract paintings. Pieces range from traditional and photographs to folk art and spray-painted work. Artists will be there, and Iverson will visit in January. The Art Bar will also be open to warm up with a cocktail.

The Churchill County Middle School Craft Fair is today from 6-9 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Entry is $1, and there will be over 40 vendors and over 40 raffles prizes (raffle tickets are $1 or six for $5).

The Senior Center’s holiday fundraiser is tomorrow. Breakfast is from 7:30-10 a.m. at $6 per person, followed by a bake sale, craft bazaar and boutique sale ‘til 2 p.m.

The Fallon Lights of Christmas at 1001 Sheckler Road runs tomorrow from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., with a Christmas tree auction at 6 p.m (canned food items serve as entrance fees). Santa, the Grinch and plenty of entertainment will also be there including an Irish band from Carson City. Organizers encourage those interested in volunteering to reach out (fallonlightsofchristmas@yahoo.com).

The United Methodist Women are holding their annual Christmas Bazaar tomorrow from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. at the Epworth United Methodist Church.

Toys for Tots and Fallon’s Iron Order Motorcycle Club are collaborating for their annual children’s toy run/cruise tomorrow. Registration starts at 10:30 a.m. in the Big 5 parking lot, with the run/cruise start at noon; the finish location is the Eagles Hall on Reno Highway. Cost of entry is one new, unwrapped toy.

“The more people show up, the better it turns out for the kids,” said the MC president, Rocco.

Toys for Tots toy drives are happening every Friday before the Christmas weekend as well as some Sundays and during holiday events — look for the decorated truck. Learn more about toy drop-off locations and ways to donate at www.Fallon-NV.ToysForTots.org or through Facebook. New, unwrapped toys are preferred but other donations are accepted.

Churchill County High School’s track and field team is selling Christmas trees tomorrow and Sunday from 11 a.m. in front of Louie’s Ace Home Center. Trees are Douglas and noble firs from Oregon.

Numa Elementary is opening their Christmas store today as well as Dec. 9 and 16. The student council is running the special holiday store during these Fridays’ lunch recesses along with the regular student store. Bring a dollar or two, or use “duck bucks” to buy some Christmas gifts for family and friends.

Numa is also having their food drive kick off Monday, with classes competing to collect canned goods or non-perishable food items (unexpired) to donate to the “Out of Egypt” food pantry in Fallon. The contest ends Dec. 16, when the school delivers the food to the pantry and also has a “Happy Holidays Dress-Up Day” (wear Christmas colors, a Santa or elf hat, come as a Christmas tree, or be creative in another way).

Wednesday, Lahontan Elementary School is having its Winterfest from 5:30-7:30 p.m., involving pictures with Santa and a photographer, Mrs. Clause reading stories, Christmas crafts, cookies, hot chocolate as well as raffles and auctions.

Thursday, Northside Early Learning Center is having a “Winter Wonderland” theme family literacy night at 5:30 p.m.

The Out of Egypt food pantry (1075 Taylor Place) craft fair and bazaar is Dec. 9-10, Friday from noon-5 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. (Canned food donations appreciated.) Admission is free, and donors will receive five raffle entries for each donated can (up to 25 tickets); tickets can also be purchased.

Tour six homes in the Fallon area Dec. 10 from 2-8 p.m. and get in the holiday spirit while exploring any or all of the beautiful homes in any order you choose. All proceeds benefit a safe and sober graduation party for Fallon’s high school seniors. Tickets are $20 each (65+ are $15.) available at Blessings in a Bucket, His Inspirations, Jeff’s Copy Express, Just Country Friends and Workman Farms. You can also win a fully decorated 7-foot tree, and raffle tickets will be sold at the homes.

Logos Christian Academy is going caroling Dec. 20, leaving the school about 1 p.m. and including stops at City Hall and the Churchill/Fallon Volunteer Fire Department.

Oasis Academy is having their Christmas concert Dec. 20 at 7 p.m. in the Fallon Convention Center.

The Churchill County Library is accepting holiday wreath and centerpiece donations to sell at its silent auction fundraiser; donations accepted through Wednesday with bidding closing at 6:30 p.m. same day. Library patrons can also pay library fines with canned food donations, one can per overdue item.

The Homestead is conducting its food drive for the Senior Center’s Meals on Wheels program; donations collected through Dec. 15.

Berney Realty’s annual pajama drive is accepting donations through Dec. 18 to give to the local CASA closet for children. New Pjs, underwear and socks for ages newborn to 18 years old are accepted.