Signs of the season

RANDOLPH – Just like decorating the tree and hanging the stockings by the chimney with care, Randolph residents have come to count the town’s Christmas celebration as an annual holiday tradition.

This year’s Blast from the Past event is set for 5-7:30 p.m., Friday, Dec. 1, at the city auditorium. The event is hosted each year by Reaching Out Around Randolph (ROAR) and features a variety of activities that are mainstays each year.

Santa will be arriving at the auditorium by fire truck and will literally take center stage. Santa will be available to listen to children’s requests from 5 to 7 p.m.

About 150 children are expected to attend, said Sandy Owens, who helps to organize the ROAR event.

“It’s always a lot of fun and the kids seem to enjoy it,” she said with ROAR providing a goodie bag to each child after the visit to Jolly Old St. Nick.

The Pancake Man of South Sioux City will be on hand to serve up fluffy flapjacks and sausage, juice, milk and coffee. This year, prices are $7 for adults and $5 for children 6-12. Children under 5 eat free.

Vendors will be set up around the perimeter of the auditorium to help handle Christmas shopping locally including The Randolph Times with a subscription special that night.

Around town, local stores will be open late to accommodate holiday shopping with specials, drawings and giveaways.

Owens said she expects a crowd of about 500 to take in this year’s Blast from the Past festivities.

“We think it’s a great community event and a great time for whole community to come out together,” she said. “It’s just a great way to support Randolph and have a chance to visit Santa right here in town.”