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We went to the Taylors Falls Lighting Festival lastFriday.  You may recall the weather was anything but favorable.  It was a steady cold rain that basically never stopped until late Friday night.  We discussed how many people we thought would be at the parade and festival due to the inclement weather.  I assumed there would be a fraction of what is considered a normal crowd. Guess what? I was wrong.  It was absolutely packed.  People were everywhere, getting wet and not caring a bit about it.  It was awesome.  The parade was great, longer than I can rermember, and the lighting of the streets was so impressive.  Thanks so much to the committee members who work so hard just so the thousands of people who come over the weekend can enjoy it.  It is such a great event and it seems to only get better with time.

Speaking of lighting ceremonies - we have a few more this weekend. Saturday evening the City of Lindstrom would like to invite you and your family to Memorial Park for the annual tree lighting festival.  The event begins at 4:30pm and will feature the high school brass ensemble playing Christmas music.  Following the band, the Santa Lucia Chorale will sing Christmas carols with Santa and Mrs. Claus arriving on a fire truck at 5:15pm.  Bring your camera (or smartphone) because Santa will hang around afterwards for pictures.  There will be bonfires, face painting, hot dogs, brats, cocoa and coffee for all to enjoy.

Sunday, Chisago City invites you and your family to its Lighting Festival.  Held in Moberg Park, you will enjoy horse drawn wagon rides, Christmas carols, marshmallows for toasting, hot cocoa and of course Santa and Mrs. Claus will be on hand to visit and collect your children’s wish lists.  The event begins at 4:30pm.

Both Lindstrom and Chisago City ask that you bring either a toy donation for Anonymous Santa or a food donation for the local food shelf.  Thank you for donating - see you there!

Speaking of Christmas, there are two great shopping opportunities and it just so happens they both land on Saturday.  The City of Lindstrom is holding the annual Holiday Craft Fair at the Lindstrom Community Center.  The fair will be filled with tons of vendors all offering something different and unique for this Christmas season. The craft fair opens at 9am.

The folks at Chisago Lake Lutheran Church will also be holding their annual Christmas Bazaar, Saturday.  The bazaar will be filled with unique crafters and great bake sale items  such as cinamon rolls, lefse and breads.  There will be lunch available as well as raffles for quilts, gas cards, Minnesota Wild tickets and more.  The bazaar opens at 9am in the fellowship hall.

My family had the priviledge of helping at this year’s Community Thanksgiving meal, held at Chisago Lake Lutheran Church.  I know I write this alot, but you would not believe how many people took time out of their own holiday to volunteer their time to make this meal so very special.  Over 225 people attended the meal this year!  Thanks to Mary, Chrisand the other organizer who constantly put others before themselves. You are awesome!
 

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