Get in the holiday spirit with the Festival of Trees or win a turkey this weekend in Dallas County

Thanksgiving Sip and Shop

4-7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 17 at Perry businesses.

Enjoy an after-hours shopping experience on Friday, Nov. 17 at Perry businesses. Shop warm-weather apparel, holiday décor, gifts and more while sipping complimentary refreshments at each location. Refreshments and in-store offerings vary per location. Look for more information on the Perry Chamber of Commerce Facebook page.

Mobile Food Pantry

8:30-10:30 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 18 at Crossroads Church, Perry.

Crossroads Church will host a mobile food pantry from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 18.

St. Pat's Harvest Bake Sale

10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 18 at Studio on Second, 1218 Second St., Perry.

The St. Pat's Harvest Bake Sale will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 18 at Studio on Second. The bake sale will feature St. Pat's famous cinnamon rolls along with a variety of homemade baked goods and candies.

Festival of Trees

Nov. 18 - Dec. 30 at Carnegie Library Museum, Perry.

Join the Hometown Heritage at the Carnegie Library Museum in Perry as we celebrate our 9th Annual Festival of Trees! From Nov. 18 to Dec. 30, the Carnegie Library Museum will transform into a merry wonderland, with beautifully decorated themed trees and festive displays installed by individuals, businesses, and organizations, all designed to put us in the holiday spirit. Enjoy the magical atmosphere all season at this free event.

Thanksgiving Turkey Toss

2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 18 at District Administration Center Gym, Adel.

Adel Parks and Recreation will host the Thanksgiving Turkey Toss Free Throw Contest at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 18. Each team must consist of one parent and one child from the same family. Teams will shoot 30 free throws (15 per person) from the free-throw line. Turkeys will be awarded to the winners in the five different age divisions (ages 8-18). The event, sponsored by Fareway Stores Adel, is free and no pre-registration is required.

Night Before Thanksgiving Soup Dinner

5 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 22 at St. Patrick's Gym, 1302 5th St., Perry.

A Night Before Thanksgiving Soup Dinner will be served starting at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 22 at the St. Pat's Gym. The menu will include soups, rolls, dessert and a drink. A free-will offering will be taken with proceeds going to St. Pat's Giving Tree.

Adel Community Thanksgiving Dinner

11 a.m. - 1 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 23 at Meadow View Elementary, 1300 S 15th St., Adel.

A free community Thanksgiving dinner will be served from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Meadow View Elementary. For meal deliveries or donations, call Lincoln Savings Bank at (515) 993-5663.

Perry's Lighted Holiday Parade

7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 24 in downtown Perry.

The Perry Chamber of Commerce invites the Perry community to participate in this celebration as an official kick-off to the holiday season! Businesses, community organizations, and jolly community members are encouraged to create lighted floats to join the parade. A number of stores will be open late that night, but all downtown lights will go dark at 7 p.m. in anticipation of the Lighted Parade. Line-up begins at 6pm at 2nd & Otley, and there are prizes for the best, biggest and brightest lighted parade floats! Please, no tossing candy for safety reasons (walkers can hand candy out). Starting at the corner of 2nd and Otley (by Oasis Market), the parade will first head east on Otley to 3rd Street (by Fareway) and then will head north on 3rd to Pattee, turning left and left again to then head south on 2nd Street through downtown. Santa will be available following the parade at the Hotel Pattee.

Tinsel Trot

10:30 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 25 at Raccoon Valley Bank.

The Perry Booster Club will host the annual Tinsel Trot on Saturday, Nov. 25. Registration for the 5k walk/run will start at 10 a.m. with the race starting at 10:30 a.m. The event will also include a photo op with Santa and the Bluejay mascot along with Jays Nest apparel sales. The cost is $35 for adults and $25 for students. Online registration is open through perry-booster-club.square.site.

Annual Toy Drive

Toys to be collected through end of November.

Boxes have been set out to collect toys for the annual toy drive. Boxes are located at Ben's Five and Dime, Dollar General, Family Credit Union, Fareway, Hy-Vee, Percival Scientific, Perry Perk, Perry Public Library, Tractor Supply and Van Wall Equipment. Toys can be dropped off through the end of November before being distributed to Perry youth.

Hometown Holiday Celebration

Friday, Dec. 1 around Adel.

Help kick off the holiday season with a weekend full of festive activities, hosted by the Adel Partners Chamber. The annual Sip & Sample will return on Friday, Dec. 1. The Adel Public Library will host Mrs. Claus and Crafts with drinks and cookies provided by the City of Adel from 1-3 p.m. The lighting of the tree and wreaths will be held at 4:45 p.m. on the northeast corner of the square with music provided by the boy and girl scouts. Enjoy festive dishes and drinks available at Adel businesses and shop locally for your holiday gifts from 5-7:30 p.m. Find the poster in their windows to enjoy samples.

The Holidays are Sweeter in Van Meter

Dec. 1-2 around Van Meter.

Each year, Van Meter Community Development hosts a community holiday celebration the first weekend in December. The Holiday are Sweeter in Van Meter is where our community and businesses rally together and have fun for all ages. Activities include the 9th annual Sips & Snacks from 4-7 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 1, with tours starting at the Legion. A silent auction will be held along with a raffle drawing from 8-10 p.m. The Community Market will be held from 5-8 p.m. on Dec. 1 and will continue from 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 2. Saturday activities include an Ugly Sweater 5k and Kids Fun Run at 2 p.m. at the Downtown Memorial Park, followed by an adult/kid beverage garden from 2-7 p.m. Kids can work on crafts at the Van Meter Public Library from 12-4:30 p.m. The library will also host Stories with Santa and caroling from 4:30-5 p.m. Residents can dress their dogs in holiday attire for the Holiday Dog Parade, which starts at 4:30 p.m. at the library. The festivities continue from 5-7 p.m. at Memorial Park with visits from Santa and the Grinch, a hot dog meal, photos, live DJ and more. The tree will be lit at 6:50 p.m., along with the Light the Town winners.

Celebrating Christmas Cheer

Saturday, Dec. 3 in Minburn.

Minburn's Celebrating Christmas Cheer event will kick off with the Jingle Bell Store from 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. at the Minburn Public Library. The free shopping event allows kids of all ages to choose gifts for family members, wrapping included. The festivities will continue with the lighting of the Nativity Scene and carol singing at 5 p.m. at Meek Park. A free-will soup supper will follow from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at the Minburn Methodist Church, where you can visit with Santa and decorate a cookie. A silent basket auction will be held during the soup supper with the drawing on Dec. 17.

Beta Sigma Phi Holiday Home and Porch Tour

11 a.m. - 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 2 in Dallas Center.

Buy a ticket to tour 4 homes in the Dallas Center area fully decorated for the upcoming Christmas holiday. Come in to enjoy the lovely homes, decorations and leave with ideas about decorating your own homes. This is a fundraiser for the community of Dallas Center. Funds will be used to support the community of Dallas Center. There will also be multiple front porches you can view around town. Come up and view the porches and their decorations. Tickets can be purchased when available at the local library or from any member of Beta Sigma Phi. We will also have a Venmo option added to the event soon so you can pick up tickets the day of the event. Tickets will be $15 prior to the event and $20 the day of. Any tickets purchased by Venmo prior to event can be picked up at The Suites at 1400 Walnut St. the day of the event.

Adel Holiday Home Tour

1-3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 2 around Adel.

The Adel Holiday Home Tour is back this year on Saturday, Dec. 2. Get your tickets now (only $5) to reserve your spot to tour 4 beautifully decorated homes in Adel. Tickets are available online at adelpartnersia.chambermaster.com/.../register/3526 or at Adel Health Mart, Azalea Lane and Harvey’s Greenhouse.

Hometown Christmas

4:30-7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 2 in Dallas Center.

Join the Dallas Center Seasonal Fun Committee for the 2023 Hometown Christmas on Saturday, Dec. 2. The festivities include a tree lighting and carolers at 5:15 p.m. in Mound Park and a soup supper and live nativity scene from 5:15-7 p.m. at the Methodist Church. The evening will also include: Santa at Heritage Park, North Pole Info Station in the Suites, Basket Auction by Friends of the Library (final bidding ends at 6 p.m.), 25¢ Elf Shopping Station, Cookie Decorating, Hot Cocoa Station, Christmas Crafts, Cookie Walk and more. Look for more details on the Dallas Center Seasonal Fun Committee Facebook page.

Human Needs Grants

Grants accepted through Dec. 4, Perry.

St. Martin’s Episcopal Church will award Human Needs Grants in December 2023. Qualified groups intending to apply should request a copy of grant criteria from St. Martin’s Episcopal Church, P.O. Box 486, Perry, IA. 50220. Phone 515-465-3468 or e-mail: stmartinsepiscopalchurch@yahoo.com. Grant requests must be in the church on or before Dec. 4.

Christmas Dinner Volunteers

Monday, Dec. 25 at Perry Elks Lodge.

The Community Christmas Dinner Committee is looking for volunteers to help with the annual Christmas Dinner on Monday, Dec. 25. Around 50 volunteers are needed to help set up, serve and clean up. Two shifts are available in the morning and afternoon. Sign for a shift by calling Deb Miller at 515-465-3740.

To submit events to be included in the Around the County or Happenings in and around Perry round-ups, email news@adelnews.com or news@theperrychief.com.

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Things to do this weekend in Dallas County include Festival of Trees