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If you were one of the brave who toughed it out taking in the Taylors Falls Lighting Festival, you enjoyed one of the best parades I can remember.  It was considerably longer than ever and the crowd size was immense.  Despite having some very cold fingers, we had a great time at the event.  Taylors Falls does an absolutely wonderful job with the Lighting Festival and all involved deserve a huge thank you.  

I have been taking pictures at the parade for 17 of the years and weatherwise I have seen it all.  There’s been years where we are in sweatshirts, other years (not long ago) we stood in the pouring rain, there has been heavy snow too.  This year was just bitter cold.  Didn’t seem to bother anyone around us and it wasn’t anything a hot toddy couldn’t cure afterwards.  

This weekend there are more chances for your young ones to come see Santa.  Center City, Lindstrom and Chisago City are all hosting their  tree lighting festivals.  

Center City will begin Friday with their dedication of a special elf house, erected in Water Tower Park. The event is at 5:15 p.m. and then you can head downtown for Small Town Christmas at the Center City Fire Hall. This includes: cookie decorating, cocoa, popcorn, raffles. Santa arrives by fire truck at 6:20pm.   This is a free family event. All proceeds from the raffles go to local residents in need this holiday season.

Saturday, Lindstrom holds the annual Tree Lighting ceremony.  It all begins at 4:30pm at Memorial Park.  Santa will make his grand arrival at 5pm and will be available for photos with the kids.  There will be hot cocoa and snacks including s’mores with live music from the high school brass ensemble.  Make sure you dress warmly as all of the events are outside.

Wyoming lights its community tree at Railroad Park with a gathering from 4 to 6 p.m.

Sunday evening Chisago City wraps up the Christmas themed weekend with their lighting festival.  The festivities in Moberg Park on the highway, begin at 4:30pm with the high school choir singing Christmas carols.  The park lights will be officially lit at 5pm and Santa will arrive at 5:10pm. There will also be a performance by the Pleasant Valley Cloggers at 5:15pm.  Kids will have a chance to give Santa their wish lists and take photos after.

All of the towns are urging visitors to bring non perishable food donations and/or toy donations for the local Anonymous Santa.

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