Check out festivities at variety of locations

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From one end of downtown to the other, the Red Wing Holiday Stroll on Friday will be filled with holiday cheer. In addition to all the activity on the streets, following are several activities and locations worth visiting.

The focus is on the hours of 4 to 8 p.m., but the Red Wing Elks Club is getting a jump start again this year, serving a pancake breakfast from 7 to 10 a.m. Friday. Tickets can be purchased in advance or at the door at $6 for adults, $3 for kids 12 and under. The grill will be open all day.

Other places to check out:

• Home Hunt. A new event, a Holiday Historic Home Hunt, is being sponsored by Coldwell Banker-Nybo & Associates in recognition of Red Wing being named by National Geographic Traveler as the 23rd top historic town in the world to visit. The event, which promotes awareness and appreciation of Red Wing's historic architecture, kicks off Friday in conjunction with the Stroll and ends Dec. 15.

People are invited to stop at the realty office, the Chamber of Commerce or the Goodhue County History Center and pick up a flyer containing 10 color photos of historic homes in the city limits. The flyer also will be placed on the Web site www.redwingrealestate.com.

Contestants will drive around Red Wing and write down the addresses of the homes in the photos and turn their list in to the office to win a prize. All house numbers are visible from the street; it will not be necessary to go onto the properties. First place is $200 in Chamber bucks; second place $100 Chamber bucks, and third place $50 Chamber bucks. Everyone will receive a small reward. At the same time, people are asked to bring a donation for the Red Wing Area Food Shelf.

• Depot Gallery. The Red Wing Arts Association plans an entire weekend of activities at the Depot Gallery, 418 Levee St. Features will include Red Wing author Marcy Doyle from 1 to 4 p.m. Friday and 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday, and author Monica Foley from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday.

Children's art activities are planned during the afternoons. Cider and cookies will be served.

• Luminaries for Veterans. The Burnside Pluckies 4-H Club has been selling luminaries for $5 to honor veterans during the Holiday Stroll. The candles will be played around John Rich Park. People are invited to come to the park and read the messages people write to service men and women.

All proceeds will go toward the Goodhue County veterans transportation program that serves older, needy or disabled veterans who need rides to clinic appointments at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Minneapolis and the outpatient clinic in Rochester. To help out, contact the Goodhue County Extension Office.

• Family photos. The Sheldon Theatre and Red Wing Framing Gallery are teaming up to offer a family photo holiday tradition. With the help of the Sheldon Costume Shop and set design, people can experience a 1950s style holiday. Come to the Sheldon between 5 and 8 p.m. Friday and pick out a wardrobe to wear for the portrait. Enjoy refreshments, then go to the Framing Gallery to pick up your photo.

Cost is $5. Proceeds benefit Friends of the Sheldon.

• Colleen's Closet of Hope. An open house is planned from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday at 316 Plum St., which will be the new location of the clothing ministry sponsored by Calvary Chapel of Red Wing. The store will open soon; volunteers are being trained. Colleen's Closet provides free clothing and shoes to people in need.

• Annual ornament. Stop at 417 Main St., the former Red Wing Framing Gallery location, and check out this year's Holiday Stroll ornament from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday. Titled "Coming Home 2008," it features an image of Barn Bluff and the Eisenhower Bridge. The ornaments, designed by Jean Dosdall and Vicki Riester, cost $10.

Also at that location will be Susan Welsch, who created the original artwork featured on the 2008 Holiday Stroll poster. She will sign posters, which will be available to purchase along with artwork from past years.

• Seminary Plaza. Everyone is invited to stop at Seminary Plaza, 434 W. Fourth St., during the Stroll for pie and other refreshments, entertainment, tours and other prizes.

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