The Local Scene: ‘Fruitcakes’ staged in Polo, Santa visits Dixon cabin this weekend

Looking for something to do in the Sauk Valley? Here are five suggestions for events happening over the next few weeks:

1. Catch a show: The Polo Area Community Theatre will perform “Fruitcakes” at 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 13, at 2 and 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 14, and at 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 15, at Polo Town Hall. The holiday play is about a quirky Southern community and a runaway boy who comes to appreciate the town’s residents. The play had been set to perform Dec. 5-8, but those performances were canceled because of cast illness. As a result, the theater added additional performances the following week. Any tickets purchased for the first weekend will be honored at any performance.
2. Santa at the Cabin: Santa and Mrs. Claus will be at Old Settlers Cabin from 5 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 12, and Friday, Dec. 13, at 115 Lincoln Statue Drive, Dixon, and enjoy the holiday lights at Presidents Park. For more information, visit discoverdixon.com.
3. Swim with Santa at the Sterling-Rock Falls YMCA: Bring the entire family and enjoy swimming, games, an elf scavenger hunt and activities with Santa Claus. Children under the age of 9 need an adult to accompany them into the pool. The event will be from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 13. The cost is $10 per family for members and $15 per family for nonmembers. The Sterling-Rock Falls Family YMCA is located at 2505 YMCA Way, Sterling.
4. “Holidays with the Symphony”: Guest conductor Silas Nathaniel Huff will lead the Clinton Symphony Orchestra’s annual “Holidays with the Symphony” concert Saturday, Dec. 14. Concert time is 7:30 p.m. at Clinton’s Zion Lutheran Church, 439 Third Ave. South, Clinton, Iowa. Huff is the director of orchestras at Northern Illinois University, and has conducted ensembles across America, and around the world. Clinton Symphony Orchestra Music Director Brian Dollinger invited him to conduct this concert. The program will include classical and popular selections from the great music associated with the seasons. A polonaise from the “Christmas Eve Suite” by Rimsky-Korsakov, selections from Tchaikovsky’s “Nutcracker Suite,” a polka by Johann Strauss, as well as music from the Canadian Brass, Mannheim Steamroller and some Leroy Anderson favorites are included. A carol sing-along will close the concert. Admission to the concert is by season ticket, or individual concert tickets will be available at the door and are $20 for adults. All students are admitted free. In addition, an adult who accompanies a student will be admitted for half price. The full concert program, as well as program notes describing the music to be presented, are available online at www.clintonsymphony.org. The orchestra includes musicians from the Sauk Valley area.
5. Emmanuel Church of Morrison’s “Voices of Praise” cantata: EVOP will present its 17th annual Christmas cantata, “Agnus Dei - The Music of Michael W. Smith,” with three performances throughout the weekend of Friday, Dec. 20. This year’s cantata boasts a choir of 90 voices, the largest in the group’s 17-year history. Singers from over 20 local churches will join Emmanuel’s Sanctuary Choir for a night of Christmas music. No tickets are needed for this hour-long free event. A free-will offering will be collected, and all ages are welcome. Showtimes are 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 20; 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 21; and 7 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 22. A fellowship hour will follow each performance. A free shuttle service will be available an hour before and after each performance. The shuttle will pick up at Ebenezer Reformed Church, 309 E. Park St. in Morrison, and deliver guests to Emmanuel Church at 202 E. Morris St. Call the Emmanuel Church office for more information at 815-772-3890.