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2008 Entertainment

St. Andrews Society Pipes & Drums
We are proud to present the first Christmas Market appearance of The St. Andrew's Society of Central Illinois, Pipes and Drums, part of the St. Andrew's Society of Central Illinois in Springfield. Since 1989 the band has been promoting Celtic culture with their traditional bagpipes and drums, traveling throughout the Midwest. The original band started with 7 members; it has grown to over 50 active members. The band will perform on Saturday at 2 p.m. in the middle of the square.

Chip Off the Block Ice Carvings
Husband-wife team Eric and Angie Snider of Staunton IL return to the Christmas Market to create four magical sculptures that capture the essence of the Christmas season. The Sniders begin their carvings with a chainsaw, using die grinders, wood chisels, and handsaws to complete the detail. They will be working near the gazebo on the square Friday from 1-5 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.. Ice sculptures will be displayed on lighted display boxes around the gazebo.

Juggling in Motion
Brian Pankey of Springfield IL started juggling at age 13 and hasn’t stopped since, performing over 2,000 times and finishing as a semifinalist in world championships. He is known for juggling and balancing unconventional objects such as bowling balls, flaming torches, folding tables, beanbag chairs, umbrellas and traffic cones. Saturday 12-4. Town square.

Hiroshi Tada the Top Spinner
Christmas Market favorite Hiroshi Tada of St. Louis MO returns after an absence of several years. He demonstrates Koma-mawashi, a Japanese children’s play of top-spinning. Hiroshi relies on sheer skill to manipulate a plain, primitive toy top with a rope, mixing some elements of juggling, yo-yo tricks, and magic. Just for fun, he also performs various spinning acts with a baseball, baseball bat, and other familiar objects. Saturday 11-4. Town square.

Comet the Reindeer
Young and old will be enchanted by Comet, a 7-year-old female reindeer owned by Nolan’s Petting Zoo & Reindeer of Carrollton IL. Comet will be accompanied by a sleigh and a Christmas character Take your own photo for a $3 fee, or have Nolan’s take your picture for $7. Friday 4-8 p.m. Southwest corner of square.

S & S Pony Rides
Children will delight in the opportunity to ride a pony on the beautiful Carlinville square. S & S Stables of Farmersville IL will bring their pony ring and set it up on the southwest corner of the town square. $3 per ride. Saturday 9-5; Sunday 11-3.

Cowboy Christmas Puppet Show
Come see “Cowboy Christmas,” a fun-loving Christmas program in a ranch setting. Meet ranch hand Jeb, Sal, the good-natured mess hall cook, and Flint, a cowpoke who figures he knows how to run his own life without God. Fun for kids of all ages. 6 p.m.on Friday and Saturday and at 3 p.m.on Sunday. Church of the Nazarene. Free.

Santa Claus
Santa will receive visitors in his little red house on the town square near the gazebo throughout the weekend. Hours to be determined.

Carriage Rides
Carriage rides around the beautifully decorated town square will be offered both Friday and Saturday evenings from 5:30-7:30 pm. $3 for adults; $1 for ages 6 & under; lapsitters free.

Grinch Sing-Along
Youngsters of all ages will enjoy this song-fest of beloved Christmas songs with the Grinch at 6:00pm Friday evening on the town square from the gazebo.

Professor Longhair
A perennial Christmas Market favorite, “Professor Longhair” will be strolling the square and exhibitor tents on Saturday from 10-4, delighting youngsters with face painting, magic, and balloon animals.

Trolley Car Rides
Board the red Bluff City Trolley and be transported in heated comfort for a narrated ride through historic Carlinville. The Bluff City guides are well versed in Carlinville history and interesting trivia, and riding the trolley has become a family tradition for many Market visitors! The trolley will pick up and drop off passengers at the Square and the Anderson Mansion/Macoupin County Historical Society Museum. A round trip without disembarking takes approximately 30 minutes. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Donations accepted.

Prairie Sound Barbershop Quartet
The smooth sounds of the barbershop quartet Prairie sound will be performed in concert Friday evening at the United Methodist Church at 6 p.m. (Church is located 1 block south of the town square).

Living Nativity
Calvary Baptist Church, Hillsboro, has been sharing the Nativity Story with their community for 22 years in a “drive-by” setting. Dressed in stunning costumes, the nativity features wise men, singing angels, shepherds, and the nativity family. Be sure to make time to view this lovely vignette on the town square. Sunday only, 1-3 pm.

Music and Drama
Emmanuel Baptist Church invites everyone to a dramatic musical entitled “Come Home for Christmas” (from the producers of “A Cricket County Christmas.”) “A story of hope and redemption, the presentation includes a fully staged dramatic presentation and Christmas songs old and new, in a beautiful mix of musical styles. Admission is free and seating is on a first come basis. Complimentary refreshments will be served in the church foyer following the 45-minute presentation. One performance will be given daily: 6:00 pm Friday and Saturday, and at 3 p.m.on Sunday. Emmanuel Baptist Church is located on South Broad just 2 blocks south of the square.

Bell Choir
The United Methodist Church Bell Choir, under the direction of Chris Powell, will ring in the holiday season at 7 pm Friday evening at United Methodist Church. The church is located on South Broad one block south of the square.

Holly Jolly Playhouse
St. Paul’s United Church of Christ offers a variety of holiday games for children at their playhouse on Friday from 5-8 pm, Saturday from 10 am to 6 pm, and on Sunday from noon to 2 pm. One ticket allows participation in such activities as decorating a hat or a Christmas cookie, face painting, candy cane pull, ice fishing, and penguin bowling. Tickets are $.50 each or 12 for $5.00. Special seating is provided for the parents. Follow the signs posted outside of the East Main tent’s east entrance/exit area to reach the Playhouse (St. Paul’s is situated directly north of the courthouse.)

Community Choir
The Carlinville Community Choir will perform well-loved Christmas songs on Saturday evening at 7 pm at the United Methodist Church. This vocal ensemble has been delighting audiences for many years with classics as well as contemporary favorites. The church is located on South Broad one block south of the square.

Blackburn College Christmas Concert
Reconnect with the true meaning of Christmas as the Blackburn College Music Department presents its annual candlelight concert Sunday evening at 7:00 pm in Clegg Chapel on the campus. Driving directions: from the Square, take Route 4 North (North Broad Street) to the stoplight at Nicholas Street. Go east on Nicholas to College and then turn left to enter the campus. Clegg Chapel/Hudson Hall will be on the right.

Musical Performances
Several talented local singers and musicians will be performing throughout the weekend in the tent located in the middle of the square as well as strolling through the shops and exhibitor tents.

Jim Rawlins, Town Crier
Dressed in a top hat and scarf, Jim Rawlins, a Carlinville newspaper reporter and theatrical performer, will reprise his role as the Town Crier, announcing upcoming events.

2nd Annual Mistletoe Mile Run/Walk.

Get your blood pumping Saturday morning by participating in the second annual Mistletoe Mile, a 1-mile course that is sponsored by the Carlinville Fit Club. Walkers and runners will start at 9 a.m. sharp from the north side of the magnificent Macoupin County Courthouse, 1 block east of the square. Dress warmly and wear comfortable footwear. Prizes for participants. Event will be cancelled if walking/running conditions are hazardous due to inclement weather.