Adel’s Hometown Holiday Celebration will have a sweet theme as the annual event returns this weekend.

Adel Partners Chamber of Commerce President Erin Milroy says this year’s celebration will include a nod to Candyland.

The festivities will kick off with Lollipop Woods from 1-3:30 p.m. Friday at the Adel Public Library. Santa and Mrs. Claus will be on hand and children and families can enjoy cookies and hot cocoa along with balloon animals and holiday crafts. Milroy adds that live reindeer will also be available in the Adel City Hall parking lot.

Activities will then move downtown through Gumdrop Pass. Milroy details that Scouts will help sing carols before the tree is lit on the northeast corner of the courthouse lawn at 5 p.m. 

The tree lighting will help kick off the annual Sip and Sample event. Milroy says there are around 30 businesses and organizations participating in this year’s event, which runs from 5-7:30 p.m.

Santa will be available for photos in the Raccoon Valley Bank Community House during the Sip and Sample, compliments of the Adel Kiwanis. The evening will wrap up with a performance by Let’s Dance at 7:30 p.m. on the Raccoon Valley Stage and Pavilion. 

Milroy adds that the activities continue into Saturday with the Peppermint Forest. The Adel Fire Department will host a pancake breakfast from 7-10 a.m. Scouts will help serve the meal and will provide crafts and activities. Santa will also be on hand for photos from 8-10 a.m.

Carriage rides will be held around the downtown square and Milroy encourages community members to look for ornaments hidden in Adel businesses. 

For more information on the Hometown Holiday Celebration, visit the Adel Partners Chamber of Commerce Facebook page.