Sean C. Morgan
Christmas festivities at East Linn Museum will not include the usual carriage rides Saturday evening. Instead, weather permitting, visitors will enjoy free rides in classic cars.
The usual carriage rides won’t be available that night for insurance reasons and schedule conflicts, Paschen said.
Skyline Inn Restaurant sponsors the carriage rides, Paschen said, and after learning about it, owner Lynn Owen suggested using classic cars instead.
She contacted Burlon Miller, a local classic car enthusiast, and talked to him about it.
As long as it isn’t raining, five or six vehicle owners will bring their classic cars and provide rides to those stopping by between 4 and 7 p.m.
“I will be optimistic,” Paschen said about the weather. “That’ll be a good way of putting on the finishing touches to our Christmas festivities.”
Carriage rides, provided by Chafin Farms, will return on Dec. 20, from 4 to 7 p.m.
Also at the museum will be a live Nativity scene from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on both nights, Paschen said. The East Linn Museum will provide tours.
Steve Burch, who accompanied the caroling group with banjo Fridaya night, will provide entertainment from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. each night.
The Nativity will also feature lambs that children can pet.
Organizers will collect food for Sweet Home Emergency Ministries during the event.
Also this weekend, Crawfordsville Community Church, 38363 3rd St. in Crawfordsville, will hold a live Nativity on Friday and Saturday, Dec. 12 and 13, from 7 to 8 p.m.
In addition to the live actors and animals, the church will also offer live music, lights and goodies. For more information, contact Pastor Kelly at (541) 405-5151.
The Sweet Home Police Department and Sweet Home Fire and Ambulance District sharing trees still have names. Gifts are due back on Dec. 11 for the SHFAD tree, serving needy children up to age 12 in 189 families, and Dec. 12 for the SHPD tree, which has 87 names ages 13 and older.
The public is invited to take a tag with a child’s name from the trees, purchase gifts and return them wrapped.
The SHFAD tree still has more tags than usual at this point.
For more information or to take a tag, visit the Police Department or Fire Hall or call (541) 367-5181 or (541) 367-5882 respectively.