The Wapello County Trails Council will host “Winter Coats on Parade,” a parade event on the south levee trail on Friday, December 19 from 5 to 7 p.m. The lighted route will begin on the Bridge View Center north patio overlooking the Des Moines River. Participants will walk to the Wabash pedestrian bridge, cross the bridge, and back to Bridge View Center. The average walker can complete the one mile walk in approximately 20 minutes. Cost is a $5 donation to Wapello County Trails per walker. Children in strollers are free.
The event will include a coat drive for local Ottumwa Community School District students and prizes for Best Decorated Stroller/Wagon and Most Festive Coat. Judging will take place at 6 p.m. on the Bridge View Center north patio. Participants are encouraged to wear lights; decorate strollers and wagons; or dress their pets for the holidays. Bring new or gently used, clean coats to the entry tent to be collected.
The event will kick off the Greater Ottumwa Partners in Progress’ Winterfest, which will be held at the JBS Sports Center on Saturday and Sunday, December 20 and 21. The Winterfest event will also include an ice-skating rink in The Beach parking lot during the week of December 15. Participants wanting to ice skate after the walk can pay an additional $5 at the gate for admission to both.
