Mound City's Christmas celebrations combine Nativity, Santa, and Grinch

Four-year-old Nolan seems a little unsure about the Santa Claus thing during his visit at the Mound City Historical Park's one-room schoolhouse on Saturday. (Photos by Roger Sims / Linn County Journal)

By Roger Sims

linncountyjournal@icloud.com

Saturday's Christmas celebration in Mound City began with breakfast, stuffed puppies, a visit with the Grinch and ended with a live Nativity, a gift giveaway for children, and a visit with the Jolly Old Elf.

The city of Mound City- and American Legion-sponsored event at the Linn County Fairgrounds drew scores of families that had the opportunity to catch a biscuit and gravy breakfast at the Legion building followed by a visit with Grinch, free build-a-puppy kits and making hand-colored Christmas tree ornaments.

Three-year-old Landon and brother Braiden, 5, are delighted with their visit with the Grinch at the 4-H Building on the fairgrounds on Saturday.

In the afternoon, the event sponsored by the Mound City Historical Society kicked in at the city's historical park with drawings for dozens of free gifts for the children, a live Nativity featuring children portraying Mary and Joseph, angels, shepherds from the field, wisemen plus a very pregnant camel plus sheep and a donkey.

Cookies and hot cocoa were served at the bungalow, and the the one-room schoolhouse featured carols and a visit with Santa, who handed out goodies to the children.

American Legion member Kris Wharton, right, serves biscuits and gravy to families during the Breakfast with the Grinch event Saturday morning.

The Freeman family, from left, Loretta, Heidi and Chevelle put together a stuffed puppy kit.

Jamie Spencer with daughters Harper, 10, and Isabella, 5, create ornaments for their Christmas tree on Saturday morning.

Seven-year-old Andrew, from left, and brothers Nathan, 6, and Isaac, 8, won three of the dozens of toys given away in the drawing on Saturday afternoon.

Cookies and hot cocoa at the bungalow is always a favorite at the historical park.

The live Nativity included a variety of animals and students portraying characters recounted in the story of Christ's birth.