Hillsboro’s Down Home Christmas will include escape room

By PHYLLIS ZORN

Staff writer

Downtown Hillsboro will pull out all the stops Saturday to celebrate Christmas.

New this year to Hillsboro’s Down Home Christmas celebration is a Christmas-themed “escape room” from 8:45 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. at the Studio 23 building, 107 S. Main St.

Created by Hillsboro Mennonite Brethren Church, the escape room is for groups of four to five people.

Reservations are needed and at least one group member should be 16 years of age or older. Reservations for 30 minute time slots may be made online at https://hillsboromb.com.

Other events on the slate for Saturday include:

• 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. — Nutrition drinks at Level Up Nutrition, 112 N. Main St.
• 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. — Free cider and floral arrangements by Timeless Fixations at Dale’s Supermarket, 108 W. Grand St.
• 8 a.m. to noon — Baked goods and drinks available at Rhubarb Market, 104 S. Main St.
• 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. — Free cocoa available at the Et Cetera Shop, 109 N. Main St.
• 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. — Kids’ take-home crafts will be at Hillsboro Hardware, 125 N. Main St., and Simply Handmade will sell items at Prudent Tours, 108 N. Main St.
• 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. — Pictures With Santa at Et Cetera Thrift Shop, 116 N. Main.

Also, an open house is planned at Schaeffler Museum, 312 E. Grand Ave., and come and go kids’ crafts will be available at Hillsboro Public Library, 120 E. Grand Ave.

Write a letter to Santa at 118 E. Grand Ave, sponsored by Hillsboro Museums.

• 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. — Music of the season by DJ Mac downtown.
• 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. — Christmas stories at 101 N. Main St.

Pictures with the Grinch and toy donations for Main Street Ministry will be at Midway Motors, 614 N. Ash St.

Live animals will be in the Emprise Bank courtyard on Main St.

Home-based vendors will be set up at Hillsboro city building, 118 E. Grand Ave. and First Mennonite Church, 102 S. Ash St.

Baked goods and kids’ cookie decorating will be offered at 105 N. Main St.

• 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. — A horse-drawn sleigh from Bruderthal Church on display downtown.
• 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. — A free chili and cinnamon roll lunch will be served at the Chamber of Commerce office, 110 N. Main St.
• 2:30 p.m. — Hot cocoa will be served at Main St. and Grand Ave along with a Christmas story and live music.
• 3 p.m. — Santa will arrives by sleigh and light the Christmas tree.