Thanks to the nice folks at the Randolph County Historical Society, particularly secretary and museum curator Emily Lyon, I can tell you that this Sunday, December 7, the Prairie du Rocher Chamber of Commerce will put on La Fete de Noel, a festival of shopping, home tours, music and more.  The annual Christmas Tree Lighting will be held at about 8:00 pm and winners of the Christmas Light Decorating contest will be announced.

Indeed, this season is a great one throughout the region.  In Chester, Illinois, on Friday through Sunday this week, there will be a house tour, open houses at historical sites, a arts and craft fair at the Courthouse, a quilt show, a parade, and other activities; with refreshments.

Ste Genevieve, Missouri, starts the season this weekend by welcoming Mr. & Mrs. Santa Claus, listening to Christmas carolers, lighting the city’s Christmas tree, late shopping, and enjoying a live nativity scene. The parade on Saturday starts at 11 am. A Christmas Art Sale and Show sponsored by the Ste Genevieve Art Guild will feature area artists showing and selling their work. Cookies and Spiced Apple Cider are served throughout the weekend. A painting is raffled each year and there is a silent auction with the proceeds used to fund an art scholarship for a graduating senior. A Meet the Artists Reception will be held on Saturday evening, December 1st from 6 pm to 8 pm

On Sunday, December 14, at Felix Valle House State Historic Site, Ste Genevieve’s French Christmas Celebration will  highlight the music, customs, and decorations of an early French Colonial Christmas celebration known as “Le Reveillon.” Costumed guides will explain the early 1800′s customs and the dining room will be filled with traditional foods.