Santa Will Visit Johnston Twice On Saturday

JOHNSTON, IA — A busy weekend of holiday activities is planned in Johnston, where Santa will be the special guest of Johnston police officers on Saturday for the monthly Coffee with a Cop event at the Hy-Vee Market Grille, 5750 Merle Hay Road. Santa will enjoy milk and cookies with children who visit him during the event, which runs from 8 to 10 a.m.

The goal of Coffee with a Cop is for police officers to get to know each other. Come with questions for the officers or share what's on your mind.

Santa will be back Saturday afternoon — arriving on a firetruck — for Holidays in Johnston fro 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. at the library, 6700 Merle Hay Road. Children will enjoy crafts, cookie decorating, a gingerbread house contest entertainment, food and fun.

For the gingerbread contest, entries will be accepted now through 3:30 p.m. Saturday and houses will be judged on appearance, originality and craftsmanship, with prizes to the top two in each category. You can download an entry form here.

Also Saturday, St. Paul Presbyterian Church, 6426 Merle Hay Road, will host its fourth annual Alternative Gift Market from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Each gift purchased includes a holiday card with a gift description from the nonprofit recipient to send to those honored by the gift.

Watch Patch for additional holiday events throughout the month. You can email information on community programs to melissa.myers@patch.com.

Photo: AdrianaMacias/Pixabay