Christmas in LeClaire continues through the weekend.

Rich Henning, a small-business owner in LeClaire, says it’s “the most festive event of the Quad Cities at Christmastime.”

The event got under way with Master Carvers creating wooden shoes and decorations.

Ron Leiby, of Bettendorf, is a former LeClaire resident. “Without this it would be kind of boring this time of year,” he said. “I can’t say enough about it. I love it here. It just draws people to LeClaire. And LeClaire is really becoming, or actually it has become, one of the premiere small towns in the area.”

“This event brings lots of dining dollars, lots of shopping dollars, lots of tourism dollars, to our community, and it allows the opportunity for LeClaire to showcase itself on how wonderful and fun and festive it is,” Henning said.

Festivities throughout the weekend

Festivities run all day Dec. 1, and the eighth annual Ugly Sweater 5K and Kids’ Fun Run and the second annual Light Up LeClaire Parade return Saturday, Dec. 2. Throughout the weekend, strolling holiday characters and family activities will be available throughout the downtown.

The 39th annual event continues in downtown LeClaire with Ugly Christmas Sweater 5k, crafts, baked goods, and silent auctions throughout the city, plus plenty of opportunities for your little ones to meet Santa Claus himself and other favorite holiday characters.

In addition to the Strolling Santas from around the World, Santa Claus will make plenty of appearances this year for the perfect photo opportunities on Saturday and Sunday.

• Saturday, 8-10 a.m. at Happy Joe’s Breakfast with Santa – $10.50 adults, $5.50 kids)
• Saturday, 12-2 p.m. on the Levee (along the river, near the Freedom Rock) – free.
• Sunday, 1-4 p.m. in the Civic Center Parking Lot – (weather permitting), free.

Lace up your running shoes and throw on the most horrendous sweater you can find for the eighth annual Ugly Sweater 5k and Kids’ Fun Run returns Saturday, Dec. 2, starting at the LeClaire Civic Center.

It begins with the Half-Mile Kids Reindeer Dash Fun Run at 9:30 a.m., followed by the Ugly Sweater 5K at 10 a.m. The 5K will be followed by post-race walking tacos, a live DJ, an ugly sweater contest, and pull-tabs for drink specials. Late registration is $25 for the 5k and $15 for the kids’ fun run (no hoodie for late registration.) Proceeds benefit King’s Harvest Ministries. Register here.

The second annual Light Up LeClaire Parade will take place at 5:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 2. Participants light up their cars, trucks, or anything else they would like for a chance to win the 1st, 2nd, or 3rd place award. The parade will travel down Wisconsin Street from 15th Street to 3rd Street.

Free trolley rides will help get you where you need to be. You will be able to park on either end of town and hop on and off the trolley throughout the day. You can ride just for fun, too, to see all the decorated shops, ugly Christmas sweaters, and Strolling Santas.

Trolley stops include:

• MindFire Communications, 126 S. Cody Road; across from the LeClaire Civic Center.
• Cody Mart, 1220 N. Cody Road; next door to Big Dave & Holly’s Dairy Sweet.
• Mississippi Cottage Antiques, 606 N. Cody Road; near La Herradura & Decades.
• Dwellings, 414 N. Cody Road; near Kitsch-n Sink, Buttercupp Candles, Nest Modern Goods, THE Clothing Co., and Cody Rose Flower Co.
• Fareway Grocery Store, 1301 Eagle Ridge Road; near Studio K LeClaire

Christmas in LeClaire Schedule of Events

Saturday, Dec. 2

• 8-10 a.m.: Breakfast with Santa at Happy Joe’s. Sponsored by LeClaire Happy Joe’s & Blackhawk Bank & Trust. Kids – $4.50; adults – $9.50.
• 9:30-10 a.m. Reindeer Dash: kids’ half-mile fun run – ages 12 and under. Starts at LeClaire Civic Center parking lot.
• 10 a.m.-noon: Ugly Christmas Sweater 5k Run – line up in LeClaire Civic Center parking lot.
• 10 a.m.-noon: Strolling Santas and Christmas characters throughout the downtown.
• 10 a.m.-2 p.m.: Masonic Lodge, 2nd Floor – Kid’s Craft Workshop. 113 S. Cody Road
• 10 a.m.-4 p.m.: Watch as Master Carver Luke Travers creates Wooden Shoes at LeClaire Civic Center.
• 10 a.m.-5 p.m.: Masonic Lodge, lower level – cookie sale, lunch, and crafters.
• 10 a.m.-7 p.m.: Various shops open late.
• 10 a.m.-8p.m.: LeClaire Civic Center – Crafts, silent auction, and baked goods. 127 S. Cody Road
• 10 a.m.-8 p.m.: Grasshoppers Gatherings – Holiday craft show with 24 vendors. 208 N. Cody Road.
• 11 a.m-4 p.m.: Santa’s Gift Shop (inside LeClaire Civic Center). Kids can use “Christmas in LeClaire Dollars” to shop for family and friends.
• 11 a.m.-5 p.m.: Free trolley rides with five designated stops throughout the downtown.
• Noon-2 p.m.: Photos with Santa on the LeClaire Levee.
• 1-3 p.m.: Strolling Santas and Christmas characters throughout the downtown.
• 1-4 p.m.: LeClaire Civic Center – entertainment by balloon artist Jason Hamilton.
• 5:30 p.m.: Second annual light up LeClaire Christmas Parade (presented by LeClaire Parks & Recreation.) The parade will travel down Wisconsin Street to 3rd Street.

Sunday, Dec. 3

• 10 a.m.-3 p.m.: Masonic Lodge – Cookie sale and crafters. 113 S. Cody Road.
• Noon-4 p.m.: LeClaire Civic Center – Crafts, baked goods, and silent auction (bidding closes at 2 p.m.) 127 S. Cody Road.
• Noon-4 p.m.: Free trolley rides with five designated stops throughout the downtown, pickup in MindFire’s parking lot.
• Noon-4 p.m.: LeClaire Civic Center – Santa’s Gift Shop where kids can use “Christmas in LeClaire Dollars” to shop for family and friends.
• Noon-4 p.m.: Buffalo Bill Museum – Open with special $5 family admission price, includes a Children’s Christmas Scavenger Hunt throughout the museum and a Children’s Coloring Contest.
• Noon-5 p.m.: Grasshoppers Gatherings – Holiday Craft Show with 24 vendors. 208 N. Cody Road.
• 1-3 p.m.: Strolling Santas and other holiday characters throughout the downtown.
• 1-3 p.m.: LeClaire Civic Center Kitchen – Rita Farro and her “Frankensewing” trunk show brings thrift-store shopping and sewing together as she “Frankensews” new one-of-a-kind garments. See how to recycle t-shirts and check out her t-shirt fringe, t-shirt finishes, t-shirt gloves, and t-shirt memory quilts.
• 1-4 p.m.: LeClaire Civic Center Parking Lot – Come see Santa and Mrs. Claus in their sleigh (weather permitting.)

For a full schedule of events, click here.

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