Giant Interlude Dance and Cool Neighborhoods: Cedar Falls Thursday Roundup

Be of Good Cheer:

Time to get your holiday drink on. is hosting Hoopla Cheer, a contest for downtown bartending masters to show their skills. You can stop at any of 11 bars and restaurants and sample holiday-themed beverages - most alcoholic, but will have an all-ages drink - and vote for your favorite. 

To vote, from 6 to 9 p.m., text the keyword that corresponds with your favorite beverage to 22333. View the full list of participating drinking establishments and their keywords here. You can also vote online at www.pollev.com/hoopla.

Apparently, there will also be a live ice carving demonstration. This sounds like a great way to spend an evening while supporting local businesses. And once you've sampled a few drinks, you'll be ready for the next Roundup item.

The World's Largest Interlude Dance:

Considering the Interlude Dance is normally done by stadiums full of sports fans, the name might be a bit optimistic. But radio stations KCRR 97.7 and Q92.3 will gather as many dancers as they can, luring them in with the promise of free glow necklaces. Dancers should meet by Santa's Workshop at the corner of Fourth and Main streets at 8 p.m.

Keep it Cool:

Interlude dancing not for you? If you live in the College Hill neighborhood, you might want to check out the Cool Neighbors Energy Challenge event. The energy challenge is a contest between the three neighborhood associations in Cedar Falls to see which one's members can most reduce their energy use. Tonight is Becky & Aaron Hawbaker's Energy Audit Party, 7 p.m., 2309 Iowa St.

Cedar Falls Utilities will walk participants through an energy audit, with refreshments and a chance to win a string of LED holiday lights.

Contact Carole Yates at carole.yates@uni.edu or 273-7599 to RSVP.

Decked Out:

If you do win some LED holiday lights, they'd look great on your house as part of Patch's Deck the House contest. Whether you emulate Clark Griswold or just have some beautiful decorations, take a picture and enter it in the contest. the winner will secure $100,000 for local schools. Visit deckthehouse.patch.com/contest/cedarfalls to enter.

'Tis the Season:

With all this holiday cheer, it's more than worth mentioning some true generosity this season. KWWL reported the Community Foundation of Northeast Iowa received a $2 million gift from the estate of George Paul to establish a fund in his name and one in the name of his wife, Hallene.

Among other things, the funds will benefit the Waterloo Center for the Arts, scholarships for Black Hawk County students attending the Allen College of Nursing & Radiography and the Grout Museum in Waterloo.