Iola kicked off the holiday season with a weekend filled with activities. The Iola Area Chamber of Commerce sponsored Friday’s Downtown Block Party, then welcomed Santa as he met with local children. First, though, Santa had to be “rescued” Saturday afternoon by the Iola Fire Department, after he was stranded atop the Emprise Bank building. Santa then met with children at his house on the square. On Sunday, the community choir presented a Christmas Vespers program at First Presbyterian Church of Iola.
From left, Mary, Don and Magen Erbert offer free carriage rides at the Iola Area Chamber’s Block Party early Friday evening. Mules Penny and Pearl are sisters. As with all siblings, their personalities differ. Pearl is a tad unruly, or perhaps she was just cold — she’s doing her very best to snag some of Magen’s hot chocolate.
Photo by Tim Stauffer / Iola Register
Jalayne Nelson, right, browses the holiday deals at Second Chance with the help of volunteer Ginny Hawk.
Photo by Tim Stauffer / Iola Register
Jeffrey Bussanmas, Brigham Folk, and Trisha Stogstill perform on the square’s Pocket Park during the Chamber’s Block Party. Bussanmas and Folk are members of Allen Community College Theatre’s Improv Club, which Stogstill directs. Here, Stogstill is an Uber driver trying to ascertain the identity of her passengers, all Christmas characters.
Photo by Tim Stauffer / Iola Register
Sabra Stockebrand performs at Wild Bloom Café at the Chamber’s Block Party on Friday evening. She is accompanied by pianist Roberta Wilkes.
Photo by Tim Stauffer / Iola Register
Santa had to be “rescued” Saturday afternoon by the Iola Fire Department, after he was stranded atop the Emprise Bank building.
Photo by Vickie Moss / Iola Register
Santa had to be “rescued” Saturday afternoon by the Iola Fire Department, after he was stranded atop the Emprise Bank building.
Photo by Vickie Moss / Iola Register
Santa had to be “rescued” Saturday afternoon by the Iola Fire Department, after he was stranded atop the Emprise Bank building.
Photo by Vickie Moss / Iola Register
Santa had to be “rescued” Saturday afternoon by the Iola Fire Department, after he was stranded atop the Emprise Bank building.
Photo by Vickie Moss / Iola Register
Santa poses for a photo with Brandi Taylor, 16, and Gracelyn Taylor, age 5.
Photo by Vickie Moss / Iola Register
Santa poses for a photo with Gracelyn Taylor, age 5.
Photo by Vickie Moss / Iola Register
The McCullough family, from left, Marie, Oliver, Greg and dog Rip, meet with Santa.
Photo by Vickie Moss / Iola Register
Children race to find candy canes hidden in the grass at the courthouse square during the first Candy Cane Hunt Saturday.
Photo by Vickie Moss / Iola Register
Kai Henderson, age 9, exchanges a specially marked candy cane for a prize at Saturday’s Candy Cane Hunt. Hunter Cooper, age 10, waits for his turn.
Photo by Vickie Moss / Iola Register
The Iola Kiwanis Club train takes children on a ride around the courthouse lawn.
Photo by Vickie Moss / Iola Register
Santa greets a crowd of onlookers on his way to meet with children at Santa’s House on the square.
Photo by Vickie Moss / Iola Register
Altos from the Vespers choir sing during Sunday’s concert at First Presbyterian Church of Iola. Top row, from left, are Karen Gilpin, Jenna Morris and Betsy Bunnel; bottom row, Donna Bauer, Julie Strickler, Beth Griffeth, and Donna Grigsby.
Photo by Tim Stauffer / Iola Register
The Vespers choir, composed of singers from several area churches, perform Sunday at the First Presbyterian Church of Iola.
Photo by Tim Stauffer / Iola Register
Sabra Stockebrand performs at Wild Bloom Café at the Chamber’s Block Party on Friday evening. She is accompanied by pianist Roberta Wilkes.
Photo by Tim Stauffer / Iola Register
Janet Sager plays the marimba during Sunday’s Vespers Christmas Program at First Presbyterian Church of Iola.
Photo by Tim Stauffer / Iola Register
Simon Müller sings the first verse of “Stille Nacht,” or “Silent Night,” at Sunday’s Vespers concert. A German exchange student in Iola for the school year, Müller sang the first verse in German. Choir members performed the last verse in American Sign Language.
Photo by Tim Stauffer / Iola Register
