Updated 11.18.21
Chase County Country Christmas November 26-27, 2021
FRIDAY NOVEMBER 26, 2021
6:00pm – 8:00pm
Kid’s Night Before Christmas Out
Come help us celebrate the beginning of the Christmas holiday. Join us in singing holiday songs and lighting the Caboose in Strong City. Get your free ticket and journey down to the 1900 Theater for a free Christmas movie and refreshments. Each child (10 & under) will receive a small gift. Turn in your ticket to be eligible for the door prize drawings. This free event is sponsored by the Strong City Preservation Alliance, Chase County Community Fund and the Chamber.
Antique Caboose & 1900 Theater, Strong City
SATURDAY NOVEMBER 27
Beginning at 7:00am
Breakfast at Bulldoggers Diner
Enjoy a down home country breakfast beginning at 7am
Hwy 50, Strong City
9:00am – 5:30pm
Famous Silent Auction
Creative auction baskets offering uniquely fun and fantastic gift options including overnight accommodation packages, restaurant and retail gift certificates, local artwork and so much more.
Fire on the Prairie an H2O TV Church, Cottonwood Falls
9:00am – 3:00pm
Arts & Crafts Fair
Local crafters will offer shoppers a wide variety of gift ideas (25+ vendors) located in the newly constructed hall.
St. Anthony’s Hall, Strong City
9:00am – 5:00pm
Prairie PastTimes Christmas Open House
Shop hand-crafted items from more than 40 local artisans. 11am to 4pm Chris Sechler will have a “make and take” Christmas garland activity for children of all ages. Artists will be on hand to speak with visitors about their work throughout the day. Artist Peggy Lyon is offering a free print to customers who purchase $200 or more. Warm Cider and treats will be available for shoppers.
Downtown Cottonwood Falls
10:00am-6pm
Holiday Tables & Trees event
Chase County businesses and individuals have decorated spaces with their interpretations of the holidays. There will be a full concession stand and special holiday treats, and shopping opportunities. Prizes for the people’s choice display. Please consider the “Old School” as a lunch (Sherry Wilson’s bierocks & walkiing tacos) and dessert option (local bakers are making treats and donating them to our concession stand). We’re also serving some delicious adult beverages. $5 requested donation (age 6 and over) to enter with all proceeds going toward new heating units for the building. Sunday 10-6, too!
Old CCES at 401 Maple, Cottonwood Falls
10:30am – 11:30am
Holiday Remembrance Program and Memory Tree
Honor loved ones and take a moment to reflect on those that are no longer with us. There will be a special presentation and a candle lighting ceremony led by Pastor Tim Woods followed by refreshments and a time for visiting. The Memory Tree will be set up and you may place an ornament on it. We ask that the ornament be no larger than 3 inches and may symbolize your memory of a loved one. Please place your loved one’s name on the ornament.
Brown-Bennett-Alexander Chapel, Cottonwood Falls
12:00pm-4:00pm
Holiday Home Tour
Tickets for the tour are available for purchase, in advance, for $5 at the Chamber. Maps/brochures are available at the city offices in Cottonwood Falls and Strong City. The day of the event, tickets may be purchased at each location or at the Chamber office for $8. Wonderful homes businesses and guest houses will be featured this year. Locations include Lark Song Guest House, Stone Lodge Guest House, Tired of the City? Guest house all in Cottonwood Falls. Locations in Strong City will be the O’Reilly House and Chef Stan’s Place aka the Little Restaurant on the Prairie.
Strong City & Cottonwood Falls
12:00pm – 4:00pm
Good Old-Fashioned Christmas
Experience the Spring Hill Ranch at the height of the holiday season. Let your senses indulge in the aroma of cedar and cinnamon sticks, while strolling through the lively ranch house filled with historic costumed characters enjoying a holiday party and playing historic music. Children can create their very own Christmas tree ornament made from salt dough using glitter, beads, and sand. Originally built in 1881, the ranch house underwent a major rehabilitation project that was completed this year and reopened in May. Come see the changes, including greater accessibility for those with limited mobility. The exterior work also included new tuck pointing, better drainage, porch repair, and rehabilitation of the stone terrace walls. Come visit the house and join along with the historic characters celebrating the season.
Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve, Strong City
2:00pm – 5:00pm
Free Popcorn & Games at Good Times a Family Center
Check out our newest business, snack on popcorn and play free games like pool, Skee Ball, PacMan, or tabletop games like checkers, dominoes or chess. They will be open 10-10 and serving breakfast, pizza and many other menu items. AND homemade ice-cream!
Good Times a Family Center, Downtown Cottonwood Falls
3:00pm – 5:00pm
Experience Santa’s Reindeer
We are excited to announce that Santa will be bringing one of his reindeer along with him this year! Come visit and take photos with him and his sleigh.
Courthouse Lawn, Downtown Cottonwood Falls
4:00pm – 5:30pm
Visit with Cowboy Santa at the Courthouse
Visit and take photos with Cowboy Santa. If weather permits this will take place on the courthouse steps.
Chase County Courthouse, Downtown Cottonwood Falls
4:30pm-8:00pm
Live Music for the Season
Join in or just listen to songs of the season. Enjoy hot apple cider and homemade cookies.
Fire on the Prairie an H2O TV Church, Downtown Cottonwood Falls
5:30pm
Silent Auction Ends.
Fire on the Prairie an H2O TV Church, Downtown Cottonwood Falls
6:30pm
Silent Auction Winners Announced
Please pickup your items at Fire on the Prairie an H2O TV church ASAP
In front of Courthouse, Downtown Cottonwood Falls
7:00pm
Lighting of Chase County Courthouse & Historic River Bridge
Cottonwood Falls
7:05pm
Parade – (taking Santa to the North Pole)
Following the lighting of the Chase County Courthouse & Historic River Bridge,
Downtown Cottonwood Falls
Home Tours
Lark Song Guest House
300 Union St., Cottonwood Falls
This revitalized home combines old-world style with today’s modern conveniences to ensure your stay is a relaxing one. This quaintly styled 1890’s Victorian is fully furnished and sleeps up to 6 guests. From the moment you enter Lark Song you will feel your stress just falling away as you enjoy the tastefully done European Boho décor and appointments.
Stone Lodge Guest House
317 Main, Cottonwood Falls
This guesthouse, a partially re-assembled 1870’s stone barn will sleep up to 12 guests, with a semi-professional high-end kitchen, soaring ceilings and luxurious soaking tub! Take a seat in a rocker on either of the porches and listen for the voices of those who were once traveling this historic “Cowboy Trail”.
Tired of the City? Guest House
417 Mill Street, Cottonwood Falls
This Guesthouse is the restored nineteenth century homestead house of James and Phebe Capwell. Reimagined into an art studio and guesthouse that can sleep 6. It is located on two wooded acres along the bank of the Cottonwood River and owned by John and Carla Queen.
Chef Stan’s Place aka Little Restaurant on the Prairie
225 Church St. Strong City
A former church and schoolhouse built in 1905 and recently renovated into “The Little Restaurant on the Prairie.” This quaint building sits at the end of a gravel road and looks out at views of farm fields with the train tracks in the near distance. Open every Sunday 11am-3pm.
The O’Reilly House
216 E 4th St., Strong City
Currently the family home of Maco and Elena Rettiger-Lincoln and their three children, the house and garage were built in 1917 for James O’Reilly. Three generations of O’Reilly/Rettiger families have lived here since. The property has a carriage shed dating back to the mid-1800’s, a WPA outhouse from the 1930’s, and the 1917 carriage house garage, home and stone cellar.
HIGHLIGHTS FROM COUNTRY CHRISTMAS PAST
