Country Christmas Is Coming to Tiskilwa on December 9

Just in time to enjoy some holiday cheer, Tiskilwa is hosting its annual “Country Christmas” from 9:00 to 3:00 on Saturday, December 9 on Main Street.

Main Street will be lined with fir trees provided by the Tiskilwa Community Association and decorated in fanciful ways by various businesses and organizations. Throughout the morning, the Community Church, the Tiskilwa Library, TCA, and the Museum on Main will host activities and displays. In addition, there is a persistent rumor that Santa Claus is comin’ to town and he’s bringing along a few flurries to “Catch the Spirit.”

During and after luncheon specials at the Indian Valley Inn, Kelly’s Place and Piccolo’s Pizzeria, the Museum doors will be open and TCA’s firepit will continue into the afternoon. At 1:00 p.m., the Bureau County Chorus will perform in the museum’s community room. The concert is free (sponsored by the TCA) and audience members are asked to bring a few canned or boxed goods for the Bureau County Food Pantry.

After last year’s event, Scott Bickett made these comments on his Facebook page: “Went to the Tiskilwa’s Christmas Walk today. . . Breakfast at the IV Inn, then the cookie sale at the Community Church. Spent time with my mom and wife at the Museum and watched them laugh at my graduation photo. Soaked in a ton of Tiskilwa history, saw the new library and got my Gem of the Valley calendar. It was a lot like when we were kids back in the day, and all the people pulled together to get things done for the town. Very cool.”

Action alert: A few more sets of hands are needed to help the historical society board members deck the halls at the Museum this Saturday, December 2. Folks who have a couple of hours to give that morning can “Catch the Spirit” and show up at Museum on Main around 9:30. Tasty incentive: Piccolo’s pizza and salad will be served at 11:30.

An annual favorite for museum-goers is the sight of 1950s (and earlier) Lionel trains chugging around a little Christmas tree in Gallery One. Charlie Waca (pictured here) and his brother Ed are the engineers who set it up and keep it going.