“We want people traveling down the Heritage Highway U.S. 89 to stop off in the cities and towns along the highway for an old-fashioned Christmas,” says Monte Bona, a member of the Mt. Pleasant city council.

Festivities get underway bright and early the morning of Nov. 28 in Manti. At 6:30 a.m., local merchants will open their doors for early bird Christmas shoppers. There will be a visit from Santa at

11 a.m., a free family movie at City Hall at 2 p.m., and the annual Christmas lights parade at 6 p.m. down Main Street. After the parade, the community is invited to the high school for entertainment and refreshments. On Nov. 28 & 29, Fairview will hold an Ultimate Garage Sale and Gift Boutique Extravaganza from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Fairview Dance Hall. Admission for the swap-meet style event is free. There will be a food court, handmade items and garage-sale items. Santa will visit from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Contact Kenda at 427-3915 for more information.

Also on Nov. 28 & 29 and Dec. 6, Horseshoe Mountain Pottery will hold its annual Holiday Pottery Sale in Spring City. The event, which features the work of Joe Bennion, runs from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. In addition, Peel Furniture Works, 565 W. Main Street in Mt. Pleasant, will hold an open house and sale, Nov. 28 & 29 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. featuring handcrafted furniture and other items.

Dec. 5&6 is the annual Piñata Festival in Ephraim. The event gets underway at 5 p.m. Friday through 8 p.m. and runs from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday in the Snow College Student Activity Center. The sub-for-Santa event features Piñatas decorated by local families and groups and Mexican food booths.

Dec. 6 is also the date of the annual Sanpete County Bed and Breakfast tour sponsored by local B & B innkeepers, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. The free event will also include give a ways for weekend visits and plays at Snow College. Contact Teri Morris 282-8286.

There will also be a Beautiful Home Tour that same day sponsored by the Sanpete Valley Hospital from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tickets are $5 advance and $7 at the door. Towns to be featured are Fountain Green and Moroni, including the newly-restored Moroni Opera House. Contact Heidi for information at 462-2441.

The Ephraim City Festival and Light Parade will also be Dec. 6 from 2 to 8 p.m. Admission is free. The festival starts at 2 p.m., with the parade commencing at 6 p.m. Contact Penny Cartwright for details, 283-4631.

The Annual Messiah Concert will also be held Dec. 6 & 7 in Ephraim at the Ephraim Stake Center, 400 East Center Street. Admission is free. Contact Judy Morgan for information, 283-7469.

Mt. Pleasant will host its annual Best Hot Chocolate Contest, Dec. 8. Merchants along Main will have gingerbread houses on display made by elementary school children and merchants will compete for the for best hot chocolate. Shoppers get to sample hot chocolate in each store, collecting stamps on special cards along the way. A drawing will be held from all submitted entries.

Dec. 10-13 there will be a performance of See How They Run play by Phillip King at the Snow College Campus at the Eccles Performing Arts Center. Dec. 13 is also the date for the Christmas Fiesta at the Moroni Activity Center, 255 N. Center Street. There will be a pot luck dinner, a play, music and a visit from Santa.

Dec. 11 in Manti there will be a Holiday Home Show from 4 to 9 p.m. at Manti City Hall. The event is a fund raiser for the Manti city swimming pool. Admission is $5 in advance and $6 at the door.

The Mt. Pleasant Bell Choir will hold its annual performance Dec. 14 at the First Presbyterian Church, 91 S. 100 West. Also Dec. 14 is the North Sanpete Community concert at the LDS North Stake Center at 7 p.m.

Dec. 20 is the date for the shopping spree drawing in Mt. Pleasant City at the recreation center at the corner of State and Main streets. The 2 p.m. event will feature door prizes, drawings, and Santa will arrive by fire truck.

Dec. 24, the annual Christmas Service will be at the First Presbyterian Church.

Be sure to also mark you calendars for New Year s Eve! Plan to attend a community event at the Manti Stake Center. The 18 and older event is a fund raiser for the community swimming pool. The $5 entrance fee includes food, big band music and a floor show. For more information, contact John or Diane Keeler 835-9421.