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FAIRFIELD, IOWA -- Press Release from Fairfield Area Chamber of Commerce

Fairfield Area Chamber of Commerce and Art Walk officials have released details on one of the Fairfield area’s largest holiday celebrations of the year: Friday’s 1st Fridays Art Walk Gingerbread Extravaganza Presented by the Fairfield Area Chamber of Commerce. 

“The downtown Fairfield square is decorated, illuminated and ready to shine for what’s poised to be the biggest December Art Walk in memory,” said Brent Willett, Chamber Executive Director.  “Whether you’ve got kids or are a kid at heart, Friday night’s got enough going on to whet the holiday appetite of the most vociferous holiday aficionado,” he said.

New to this year’s December Art Walk, which is in its fourth year of Chamber sponsorship, is the addition of free live-action performances in shop windows.  Performances, times of which will be published in a handout prior to the event, include: Mrs. Santa Claus Christmas story readings at Josie Hannes Design, “The Gift of the Magic” at Crest Jewel, “Mime Fax Gilbert” at Revelations Cafe and Bookstore and “Toy Action” at Finnywick’s. 

Other happenings and activities on tap for the evening include Victorian-garbed Shape Note Singers caroling around the square and Fairfield’s ‘Fiddlin’ Granny’ touring the square with her fiddle.  Horse-drawn carriage rides will be available from 6:00 - 9:00 pm with pick up at Santa’s Kandy Kane House on the northeast corner of the square.  Josie Hannes Design will offer free individual holiday child photos for a free will donation to benefit the holiday lights on the square.  There will be a free children’s gingerbread workshop at Fellowship Gallery where kids will be provided materials to construct a graham cracker gingerbread house  Additionally, Santa will be in his house from 6:00 - 8:00 pm. 

A holiday-lighted square- thanks to Chamber Holiday Lighting Dedication Honoree Dave Neff- will greet visitors, as will holiday music and shops teeming with merchandise and holiday cheer.  And early visitors can have their purchases wrapped up at Scott Krause Insurance Agency located at 103 South Main Street from 4:00-6:00 pm.  There will be holiday cookies and bars, warm cider or coffee for shoppers as they wait for their gifts to be wrapped.  Wrapping will be on a first-come, first-serve basis while supplies last...shoppers must show receipt verifying the December 3rd date and place of purchase.

Many merchant windows will feature entries into the Gingerbread Extravaganza, the community-wide gingerbread house/creation contest which is one of the largest in the Midwest.  For more information on the gingerbread contest, contact the Chamber at 641-472-2111 or chamber@fairfieldiowa.com.

A full listing of December Art Walk happenings is available at FairfieldIowa.com or you may contact the Chamber at 641-472-2111 or chamber@fairfieldiowa.com for more information.

The Fairfield Area Chamber of Commerce is a non-profit organization dedicated to the advocacy of its more than 350 member partners.  The Chamber produces dozens of community events year-round and works with local, state, regional and national partners to improve the Fairfield’s business environment and quality of life.  The Chamber’s 204 West Broadway offices also house the offices of the Fairfield Economic Development Association.