GENOA – On Friday, Dec. 7, the Genoa Area Chamber of Commerce hosted “Celebrate the Season” in downtown Genoa. The quaint downtown shops were open late for holiday shopping while the 12th annual Jingle Bell Parade welcomed Santa and Mrs. Claus to town.

The evening also featured a tree lighting ceremony, carriage rides, live nativity, face painting, petting zoo, letters to Santa, and many charitable booths and vendors offering free cookies, cocoa and warming fires.

Congratulations to the winners of the coloring contest: Kylie Timmerman (kindergarten), Omar Pacheco (first grade), Breanna Harjung (second grade), Ethan Riggs (third grade), Samantha Busse (fourth grade) and Emelie Walton (fifth grade).