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This weekend is the official beginning of the holiday season.  Taylors Falls kicks off the tree lighting season on Friday.  The events go for three days.

Friday features free entrance into Interstate Park. Free hot cocoa and cookies at the Juneberry Cafe, Christmas at the historic Folsom House.  An art exhibit by TF Elementary third graders at the Town House School, Mrs. Claus will be greeting and reading to kids at the library at 5pm.  St, Joseph’s Church will be serving hot chili for purchase from the Knights of Columbus from 5-8pm.  

Then at 6pm is the grand lighting of the village followed by the Santa parade along Bench Street.  Santa will head back to the Community Center to meet with kids at “Santaland” until 8pm.

Saturday begins with a pancake breakfast at First Evangelical Lutheran Church from 9-11am.  The event is free. There’s advent wreath making at the church at the same time as the breakfast.

From 9am-3pm at the Community Center is the Wassail Craft Fair.

Clues will be posted for the hidden medallion at 10 am on Facebook and the city sign.  $100 goes to the lucky finder of the medallion.

At 4;30 pm, you are invited to the Angel Hill Methodist Church to enjoy a concert from the Ecumenical Vespers.

The day caps off with community Bingo at the Community Center at 6:30pm with cash prizes.

Sunday the festival finishes with Irish dancers at the Community Center at 1:30pm.  And the St. Croix Valley Orchestra caps everything off with a concert at the Methodist Church at 3pm.  

Plenty of activity nice and close to take in.  The weather looks perfect for the event - I will see you out there!

In the last Search Shopper, we included our annual Gift Guide.  It if jam packed with wonderful advertisements from local businesses who all have something to offer you this holiday season.  If you didn’t get one, just stop by the Press and pick one up.  

Oh, and if you have kids or grandkids, we have a coloring contest page that they are encouraged to color and turn in here at the office, to try and win one of three prizes!  You will see the ads from the gift guide published in this edition of the Press.  I know I say this every year, but if at all possible, let’s try to shop local.  The people that own and operate the stores you see in our towns are our neighbors and friends.  Thank you.

Mark your calendars for Lindstrom and Chisago City’s Tree Lighting ceremonies.  Lindstrom will be December 2 which is Saturday and Chisago City is December 3 which is Sunday. They both are a great chance to the kids to meet Santa and drop their letters off for him.

I would like to wish you and your family a very heartfelt Happy Thanksgiving from all of here at the Press.  I sincerely hope you get some quality time with the ones you love!  Put your phone down! (me included).

 

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