There’s new events “exploding” this year along with a lot of traditional favorites planned for the Tama-Toledo Area Chamber of Commerce Holiday Explosion coming Friday and Saturday, Nov. 28 and 29.

You can get an early Taste of Christmas on Friday night at the Reinig-Toledo Civic Center where area cooks will share their favorite or traditional holiday treats and you can sample them. They will show off their cooking and baking skills from 5-7 p.m. There is a charge to take part in the sampling.

With the treats being judged, the winners will receive Chamber Bucks awards. Get more information from the Chamber Office – 641-484-6661 or email the Chamber: tama.toledochamber@yahoo.com

Kids and adults can enjoy breakfast with Santa at the Tama Civic Center from 7-11 a.m. on Saturday morning. The jolly old gent will also hear Christmas wishes and pose for pictures.

It’s Small Business Saturday sponsored by American Express with special incentives at local Chamber participating businesses.

Next up, the free movie “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” will be shown at 1 p.m. at the Wieting Theatre compliments of Dupont Pioneer.

A chance for kids to build gingerbread houses will be offered at the Toledo Public library from 3-5 p.m. Pre-registration at the library is recommended, but not required

From 5-7 p.m. a chili supper hosted by Boy Scout Troop 391 will be held at the Toledo American Legion.

Beginning 5:30 p.m. Mrs. Claus will be on hand to read for story hour at the Tama County Historical Society Museum Cabin.

The popular Grand Lighted Parade begins at 7:30 p.m. in downtown Toledo with free cookies and hot chocolate served before the start.

At 8:15 p.m. the Grand Courthouse Lighting Display 2014 will be unveiled on the Tama County Courthouse Square.