On Dec. 2 Waukee will be hosting its free annual WinterFest celebration in the Downtown Triangle. Downtown businesses will host open houses from 4-8 p.m. The rest of the festivities kick off at 6 p.m. when Santa Claus and Waukee Mayor Courtney Clarke light the WinterFest Tree. “The Snowball Drop is always a hit. Kids retrieve a snowball to redeem for a free book at Charter Bank’s downtown Waukee location,” said Waukee’s Recreation Supervisor Danae Edwards in a press release. Waukee residents can also enter their holiday light displays for a chance to win a gift card to a local restaurant. Entries will be accepted through Nov. 27. Residents are also asked to drop off any donations, including new or unwrapped toys and nonperishable food items, at the Waukee Community Center during WinterFest or at the Waukee Public Works Building during the week leading up to WinterFest.