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The start of fall and slightly cooler weather are sure signs the holiday season is getting closer.
Tickets go on sale Monday for the fourth annual Holiday to Holiday Extravaganza sponsored by the Creston News Advertiser on Oct. 28.
They are $5 in advance or $8 at the door. See the sidebar for ticket locations.
The event showcases about 30 local vendors exhibiting Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s holiday foods and crafts in the Southwestern Community College gymnasium.
“It is really going to range this year from people selling craft items to food,” said CNA Advertising Director Craig Mittag. “We have a bunch of different kinds of booths and a lot more home businesses.”
The doors open at 4:30 p.m., and spectators have the chance to visit with the merchants, sample a variety of treats and preview what local businesses will have available for the holiday shopping season.
“It’s always a lot of fun, there is always a lot of good freebies and goodies to sample along the way,” said CNA Publisher Rich Paulsen. “It is also a chance to get to know some of the local merchants.”
The main show kicks off at 7 p.m. featuring the Creston News Advertiser’s Dennis “Kyp” Kuyper. He will be joined by Henry A. Wallace Country Life Center Chef Katie Routh.
Kathy Rieck from the “Everyday Living” show on KSIB radio will join Kuyper for some cooking tips after the main cooking event.
“We wanted an all local show,” Mittag said. “We add things so that it is not all cooking.”
Area retailers will have a chance to show off their seasonal clothing and accessories during a style show.
Cooking contest
The deadline for this year’s Holiday to Holiday pie contest is slated for Oct. 7.
Entries can be for fruit, cream, other or most unique pie recipes. It must include a list of all ingredients with measurements, step-by-step preparation with cooking directions and contact information.
“Each year we try to pick a baking item to have a recipe contest,” Mittag said.
A panel of judges at the CNA will select 10 finalists from the recipe entries. The top three entries in each category will receive free tickets to the extravaganza.
“We contact those that make it to the finals, then they actually have to bake the pie,” Mittag said. “Then they bring it (the pie) to the show and have the judges judge it that night.”
The local celebrity judges will announce the winner at 6 p.m. Winners will receive a gift basket.
Entries can be emailed to the CNA at advertising@crestonnews.com, mailed to P.O. Box 126, Creston, IA 50801, or drop off the recipe in person at 503 W. Adams St.