Leavenworth Gets Into the Holiday Spirit with Several Events

City of Leavenworth Parks and Recreation Department 123 S. Esplanade Leavenworth, KS 66048 (913) 651-2203

Leavenworth gets into the holiday spirit with several events

The City of Leavenworth is sponsoring several events, along with partner organizations, to celebrate the holidays.

Mayor’s Tree Lighting will take place the evening of Nov. 30. at Haymarket Square, 7th and Cherokee streets. It will immediately follow the Main Street Holiday Lighted Parade that begins at 5:30 p.m. This year’s parade route begins at Third and Delaware streets, west on Delaware to 7th Street and south on 7th Street to Cherokee, then east on Cherokee to 4th Street.

Following the parade will be entertainment and the Mayor’s Tree Lighting. There is no charge to view the tree lighting. Nathaniel Herken, Pleasant Ridge Elementary School first-grader, was chosen from a children’s coloring contest to light the tree. Food and drink will be available for purchase. A European- style open market at Haymarket Square will be open for holiday shoppers from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., also featuring free trolley rides and a free bounce house. Local businesses that are participating in Main Street’s Open House will remain open until 9 p.m.

Breakfast with Santa will be 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. Dec. 1 at the Riverfront Community Center, 123 Esplanade St. Pancakes will be served. Tickets are $4 for children in advance, $5 at the door and $5 for adults in advance and $6 at the door. Tickets may be purchased in advance at the Riverfront Community Center front desk. Photographs will be available for purchase at the breakfast or parents may take their own.

Rudolph’s Red Nose Run, a 7.2-mile run through Leavenworth, will begin at noon Dec. 1 at High Noon Saloon and Brewery, event sponsor, at 206 Choctaw St. Online registration is $30 or $35 for late registration the day of the event. More information is available on the event website, http://enter2run.com/Search/event.aspx?id=11956. The event will be chip-timed with aid stations at the 2.5 mile and 4.6-mile points. See attached map.

Additionally, the Parks and Recreation Department is having a Holiday Home Decorating Contest. E- mail Marcella Williams at [email protected] to nominate your home or a friend or neighbor’s home by Dec. 14.

For more information on these events, contact Parks and Recreation at 651-2203. For media inquiries, please contact Melissa Bower, Public Information Officer, at 913-680-2610 or [email protected].