MAIN EVENT December

Here's a look at some upcoming events in December.

Don’t see your event? Let us know what you’ve got coming up and we’ll add it. Just email dailyamericanrepublic@darnews.com.

— David Fielding art exhibit, noon-3 p.m. through Dec. 4 WHERE Tinnin Fine Arts Center Gallery WHAT Fielding is a retired Three Rivers College art instructor.

— Poplar Bluff Lighted Christmas Parade, Dusk Dec. 2 WHERE The parade will line up at Whiteley Park and travel down Ditch Road to Downtown Poplar Bluff.

— Due date for Santa Land Book Drive, Dec. 2. WHERE Poplar Bluff Municipal Library, Main and Ridgel campuses. COST Free. WHAT Drop off new or gently used children’s books, appropriate for ages birth to 6th grade. The Santa Land collection box is on the landing at the Main Branch and in the lobby at the Ridgel Branch. For more information about the Santa Land Book Drive, contact Alora Bauer, Adult Services Librarian, Poplar Bluff Library at 573-686-8639 or email adultservices@poplarbluff.org.

— Eggnog Job 5K, 9 a.m. Dec. 3 WHERE Hendrickson Park COST Free WHAT Medals for overall male and female runners. For information, call 573-785-8478.

— An Ornament for Christ Ladies Christmas Brunch, 10 a.m.-noon Dec. 3 WHERE Westwood Baptist Church WHAT Invite a friend to join you for a morning of games, door prizes and a skit. Bring your favorite breakfast casserole, quiche, pastry or fruit and the church will provide the drinks. Please bring one package of store bought cookies to bless the WBC Academy during the holiday season.

— Cookies and Cocoa with Santa, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Dec. 3. WHERE Stars and Stripes Museum and Library, Bloomfield. COST Free. WHAT The museum invites families to its fourth annual Christmas event with free cookies and cocoa, pictures with Santa in a WWII-era Jeep, and stations for cards and crafts. Donations for Toys for Tots are welcome from now until the event closes, and donors will be entered in a drawing for a $75 Walmart gift card. The drawing takes place at 2 p.m. Dec. 3.

— Visit from Santa, 1-4 p.m. Dec. 3 WHERE at the Mo-Ark Regional Railroad Museum WHAT Photos can be taken with Santa and the museum will be open for visitors.

— Opry at the Rodgers, 5:30-8 p.m. Dec. 3 WHERE Rodgers Theatre COST $15 WHAT The Rodgers most requested show features favorite local talent, Alex Riffle and The Stiff Riffs & the Millstones.

— Christmas Tree Forest, 1-4 p.m. Dec. 4 WHERE Poplar Bluff History Museum WHAT Area school children create handmade decorations for Christmas trees on display in December at the museum.

— “A Christmas Carol,” 2 p.m. Dec. 4 WHERE Tinnin Fine Arts Center at Three Rivers College COST $15 WHAT A Patron of the Arts project sponsored by Kissinger and Kirkman Investment Centre, celebrate the true Spirit of Christmas with this original production featuring 26 beloved traditional carols woven throughout this classic tale.

— Santa Land, 6-8 p.m. Dec. 6 WHERE Black River Coliseum COST Free WHAT Area businesses will provide craft stations and giveaways for children, who can also get their photo taken with Santa. Pre-registration is required. Call 573-686-8645 for information.

UPDATED DEC. 7

— Puxico Library Christmas with Santa Claus, 6-8 p.m. Dec. 8 WHERE Puxico Public Library WHAT Parents as Teachers and the library will host a Christmas party with Santa. Snacks, crafts, stories and gifts will be given away, while supplies last.

— Honey Tasting Sip and Shop, 5-8 p.m. Dec. 9 WHERE Archer Gift Co., 1939 N. Westwood Blvd. WHAT Charcuterie will be offered, showing new and exciting ways to enjoy all of the honey flavors and options from local honey makers, Humble B. Sample their raw honey, comb honey and creamed honey available in jalapeño, cinnamon, chocolate, blackberry and strawberry.

— Visit from Santa Clause, 5-7 p.m. Dec. 9 WHERE Fairfield Inn and Suites WHAT Partnership between Boys and Girls Club of the Heartland and Fairfield Inn. Includes photos with Santa, hot chocolate and a bake sale befitting the Boys and Girls Club.

— Live music, Misty & Freedom, 6-8 p.m. Dec. 9 WHERE Half Whiskey Saloon, 309 S. Broadway.

— FRSH WATR Worship Night, 7-9 p.m. Dec. 9 WHERE Rodgers Theatre WHAT A FREE night of worship for all people. Expect to be uplifted and encouraged as you join in worship with other believers from across the community. All concession stand proceeds go to supporting the Rodgers Theatre.

— Friday night jams, 8-11 p.m. Dec. 9 WHERE The Marked, 3339 S. Westwood Blvd. WHAT Music from Jesse Hammock.

— Cookies with the Clauses, 10 a.m.-noon Dec. 10 WHERE First Church of God, Poplar Bluff WHAT Take your own picture with Santa and Mrs. Clause, decorate Christmas cookies, and enjoy some hot chocolate. There will be other games and activities too. Visitors will hear the REAL Christmas Story from Mrs. Clause.

— Downtown Holiday Market, noon-6 p.m. Dec. 10 WHERE Downtown Poplar Bluff, 112 S. Main St. COST Free WHAT One stop shop for all your holiday needs. Sponsored by DPB and the Greater Poplar Bluff Area Chamber of Commerce.

— Visit from Santa, 1-4 p.m. Dec. 10 WHERE at the Mo-Ark Regional Railroad Museum WHAT Photos can be taken with Santa and the museum will be open for visitors.

—Holiday Open House 2-4 p.m. Dec. 10. WHERE Poplar Bluff Municipal Library, Main Branch. COST Free. WHAT Attend a story time with Santa, make crafts for all ages, listen to live Christmas music from the High School Choir Ensemble, and enjoy hot chocolate from the Friends of the Library. Santa story time will begin at 2 pm and pictures will take place once story time is over. Drop in for other activities anytime.

— Holiday Express, noon-4 p.m. Dec. 11 WHERE Buddy’s Home Furnishings, 13499 N. Westwood Blvd. WHAT Visits from Santa and the Grinch, with photos and cookies offered. Drawings will also be held.

— Christmas Tree Forest, 1-4 p.m. Dec. 11 WHERE Poplar Bluff History Museum WHAT Area school children create handmade decorations for Christmas trees on display in December at the museum.

— Mingo Christmas Bird Count, 6 a.m. Dec. 14. WHERE Mingo National Wildlife Refuge. COST Free. WHAT The first of three annual Christmas Bird Counts in Southeast Missouri. Volunteers should arrive at 6 a.m. at The County Kitchen, 122 W. Richardson Ave., Puxico. Breakfast and area assignments will be handed out before volunteers depart to observe and count birds by foot or from vehicles. To sign up or get more information, contact Bruce Beck at beckbugs42@gmail.com or 573-776-5305. Sign up is due the day before the event. Maps and other materials will be provided.

— Stars and Stories, An interactive story hour, 11 a.m. Dec. 15 WHERE Stars and Stripes Museum, Bloomfield WHAT Christmas-themed story hour with a snack and craft to follow.

— Lunch & Learn: Nasal Airway Obstruction, 12-1 p.m. Dec. 15. WHERE Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center, Classroom 3. COST Free. WHAT Can’t breathe through your nose? Find out why from Regional Physician Services’ ENT Specialist Dr. Alexandros Georgolis, MD, FACS.

— Canvas Paint Night, Christmas ornament, 6-8 p.m. Dec. 15 WHERE Canvas & Grain Studio, 1097 Hwy. 142, Poplar Bluff COST $20-$25 WHAT Step-by-step instruction, all supplies included. Choose your own color palette.

— Christmas Open Play with Santa, 2:30-4:30 p.m. Dec. 15. WHERE Xtreme Gymnastics. COST Free, registration required. WHAT Must pre-register by Dec. 15, for ages 3-12. Call 573-713-0037.

— Big Spring Christmas Bird Count, 8 a.m. Dec. 17. WHERE Big Spring, Ozark National Scenic Riverways. COST Free. WHAT The second of three annual Christmas Bird Counts in Southeast Missouri. Volunteers should arrive at the National Parks Service headquarters in Van Buren. Area assignments will be handed out before volunteers depart to observe and count birds by foot or from their vehicles. To sign up or get more information, contact Bruce Beck at beckbugs42@gmail.com or 573-776-5305. Sign up is due the day before the event. Maps and other materials will be provided.

— Open studio, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Dec. 17 WHERE Canvas & Grain Studio, 1097 Hwy. 142, Poplar Bluff COST $10 and up WHAT Paint anything you want. A wide variety of canvas art and wood door hangers to choose from. Staff will guide visitors every step of the way.

— Visit from Santa, 1-4 p.m. Dec. 17 WHERE at the Mo-Ark Regional Railroad Museum WHAT Photos can be taken with Santa and the museum will be open for visitors.

— Afroman, 7 p.m. Dec. 17 WHERE Black River Coliseum COST $20 WHAT Sponsored by Forum Fifty Fifty, this event will include Afroman hits.

— Annual Holiday Pancake Breakfast, 9 a.m.-noon Dec. 17. WHERE Northside Community Center. COST A $5 donation. WHAT A breakfast of pancakes, sausage, eggs and beverages. Kids are invited to write a letter to Santa.

— Christmas Tree Forest, 1-4 p.m. Dec. 18 WHERE Poplar Bluff History Museum WHAT Area school children create handmade decorations for Christmas trees on display in December at the museum.

— Awaken Women’s Circle, 2-4 p.m. WHERE Awaken Women’s Self-Care Collective, 111 W. Main St., Piggott, Arkansas WHAT Support group for women focused on mental health and personal development. December topic is reflection and goal setting.

— Open Mic Night, 6:30-8:30 p.m. Dec. 19 WHERE Poplar Bluff Municipal Library, main branch WHAT Come share your music, comedy, poetry and more.

**UPDATED DEC. 20**

— Christmas @ The Bluff, 7 p.m. Dec. 22 WHERE The Bluff Church WHAT Celebration of Christmas with a service, cookies, hot chocolate and photos with Santa.

— RESCHEDULED DUE TO WEATHER Poplar Bluff Christmas Bird Count, 7 a.m. CANDELED DATE Dec. 23. NEW DATE Dec. 30 WHERE Poplar Bluff. COST Free. WHAT The final Christmas Bird Count of 2022 in Southeast Missouri. Volunteers will meet at Hardee’s, 101 S. Westwood Blvd., for area assignments before leaving to observe and count birds by foot or from their vehicles. Residents within 15 miles of Poplar Bluff can also count birds at their feeders. To sign up or get more information, contact Bruce Beck at beckbugs42@gmail.com or 573-776-5305. Sign up is due the day before the event. Maps and other materials will be provided.

— Candlelight Christmas Eve, 9 a.m.-noon Dec. 24 WHERE Bluff First, 2518 Barron Road WHAT Includes singing Christmas songs, a message about making room for Jesus and fellowship.

— Christmas Eve service, 5 p.m. Dec. 24. WHERE First Baptist Church, 551 N. Westwood Blvd. WHAT Family candlelight worship service.

— Christmas Eve Candlelight and Communion, 5-6 p.m. Dec. 24 WHERE Agee Fellowship, 38 County Road 525 WHAT Join in communion for the wonderful gift the people have been given.

— Christmas EVE Candlelight Service, 5 p.m. West Side Church, 2807 Channon Drive WHAT Everyone is invited to this annual service.

— Book tasting for grades 7-12, 4:40-5:30 p.m. Dec. 28. WHERE Poplar Bluff Municipal Library Main Branch. COST Free. WHAT Library staff will share what’s new in young adult books.

— Artist’s Guild Show closing reception, 6-8 p.m. Dec. 29. WHERE Margaret Harwell Art Museum. COST Free. WHAT The 69th Annual Poplar Bluff Artists Guild Regional Juried Art exhibit wraps up with a community gathers. The People’s Choice Award will be presented to the artist with the most votes and a $50 prize awarded.

— New Year’s Eve Party, 9 p.m.-midnight Dec. 31 WHERE Eagles at Wappapello Post 4066 COST $15 for non members WHAT New Year’s Eve bash with band As Is.

Don’t see your event? Let us know what you’ve got coming up and we’ll add it. Just email dailyamericanrepublic@darnews.com.