It’s a great weekend to get your holiday shopping started! You’re invited to take in special shopping events all over Racine County – from east to west. Real Racine has you covered.
Follow the lights. The searchlights will shine bright in Downtown Burlington for Light Up the Night from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday. You’re invited take a horse-drawn carriage ride and visit participating retailers for shopping specials and door prizes all evening long. Nonperishable food donations will also be accepted for the Operation Burlington Cares Food Drive. The event is presented by the Burlington Area Chamber of Commerce. Visit www.burlingtonchamber.org
Art is everywhere. Get out and explore this Saturday! DRAW (Downtown Racine Art Walk) showcases art and artists at galleries and stores through the Downtown Racine area. Look for artist demonstrations and much more. Hours are 3 to 7 p.m. More info at www.racinedowntown.com
Welcome to the village. The Waterford area invites everyone to Christmas in the Village. Specialty shops, crafters and private homes will be open with a variety of gift items. Stop by participating locations in Downtown Waterford to pick up a map. Hours are 12 to 7 p.m. Friday and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday. Also in Waterford, the FFA Alumni present a craft show, raffle, lunch and bake sale at Waterford High School, 100 Field Drive, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday. Admission is $1. A free craft fair runs from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at Bruno’s Restaurant, 730 Cornerstone Crossing.
Holiday specials. Don’t miss this fun annual event at the Mocha Lisa Coffeehouse, 2825 4 1/2 Mile Road, Caledonia. The Holiday Open House, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, includes music by Benjamin Torine, a holiday gift raffle, hand crafted gifts by area artisans, beverage specials and holiday treat samples.
Catch some pickin’. The Freshwater Bluegrass Band performs at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at Olympia Brown Unitarian Universalist Church, 625 College Ave. Admission is $10 for adults, $5 for students. Proceeds with benefit the church’s Chalice Lighters Fund for those in need.
All dressed up. Starting next Wednesday (Nov. 22), you can visit three historic Racine mansions that are beautifully decorated for the holidays. The Christmas at the Mansions tour includes the Christmas House Bed & Breakfast, the Henry S. Durand Mansion (Racine Masonic Center) and the Lochnaiar Inn. All are within walking distance of each other near Tenth and Main streets. The tours run from 5 to 7 p.m. on Wednesdays through Dec. 20. Admission is $15 per person. For reservations call, 262-770-4811.
Please donate! Real Racine and the Wisconsin Department of Tourism are teamed up for The Big Bundle Up winter clothing drive. Donations of new or gently used coats, sweaters, gloves, hats, mittens and other warm clothing items are welcome. The items will be donated to local charities. Please drop off your clothing items through Jan. 2, 2018 at the Real Racine Visitor Center, 14015 Washington Ave. (Hwy. 20); Downtown Racine Corp., 425 Main St.; Victory Lane Car Wash, 5310 Washington Ave., Mount Pleasant; Greater Union Grove Area Chamber of Commerce, 925 15th Ave., Union Grove; Waterford Area Chamber of Commerce, 102 E. Main St., Waterford, and Burlington Area Chamber of Commerce, 113 E. Chestnut St., Burlington.
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