Luverne’s Winterfest offers something for everyone

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LUVERNE — Where can you see Santa Claus sprint toward the finish line, keep the kids entertained and walk through displays of beautifully decorated Christmas trees? The answer: At Luverne’s Winterfest, of course.

Activities get into full swing Friday evening, with the 10th annual D-Light-Full 5K run at 6:30 p.m. from the Luverne Area Aquatics and Fitness building.

“There are great groups of people that run through town,” said Jane Wildung Lanphere, executive director of the Luverne Area Chamber of Commerce. Some are dressed in Santa costumes, while others are adorned in tinsel or twinkling lights.

New this year, a live band, “Under Cover,” will perform Friday night from 8:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. at the Blue Mound Banquet Center. Meanwhile, “Almost Home” featuring Doug Spartz and friends will present a holiday show at the Historic Palace Theatre in downtown Luverne at 7:30 p.m. Friday.

A full slate of events is planned for Saturday, with more than 100 vendors to participate in the arts and craft show in the Luverne School commons and Cardinal gym from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

“We continue to have new people with new things that they bring,” Lanphere said, adding that vendors are coming from the Twin Cities, northern Minnesota, Iowa and Nebraska. The Luverne Music Boosters will operate a food stand during the show, serving both breakfast and lunch items.

Voting for the best gingerbread house contest is between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m., with the winners announced in an awards ceremony at 1:30 p.m. The contest features three categories — family/individual, business/organization and youth (ages 14 and younger). The first place winner in each category will earn a $50 Chamber gift card.

“Last year we had a great response to the gingerbread house contest,” Lanphere said. “We’re anticipating that again.”

In addition to casting votes for gingerbread houses, people will also be asked to vote this year for their favorite Oreo cookie creation — projects made during the Luverne Community Education’s Kids in the Kitchen program.

Parents should be sure to bring the kids along to the Luverne School on Saturday, as children’s performer Phil Baker will present two shows — complete with music and exercise — for the kids at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Baker will have them doing the conga, the limbo, freeze dance, chicken dance and more, and will perform a variety of original and favorite children’s songs.

Also for the kids, Rock County 4-H is inviting those in kindergarten through fourth grade to attend Santa’s Workshop in the Luverne Elementary School Commons, where 4-H “elves” will help kids shop for surprise gifts for their parents, grandparents or others, and will help create make-and-take crafts between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m.

The Hinkly House will also be open on Saturday, from 1 to 9 p.m., for people to stop in and view more than 20 different nativity sets displayed throughout the beautiful Victorian home. The nativities were donated for the display from families throughout the community. Hot cider and cookies will be served during the afternoon and evening.

A full schedule of events follows:

Friday

10 a.m.: Story Hour and puppet show, Rock County Community Library

1-5 p.m.: Festival of Trees, Carnegie Cultural Center

4:30 p.m.-close: Wine tasting, Blue Mound Liquor

5:30 p.m.: D-Light-Full 5K registration begins

6-8:45 p.m.: Dollar swim, Luverne Area Aquatics & Fitness center

6:30 p.m.: D-Light-Full 5K run

6:30 p.m.: Cribbage Winterfest tournament, Eagles Club

7:30 p.m.: “Almost Home” holiday show, Historic Palace Theatre

8:30 p.m.-12:30 a.m.: Under Cover live band, Blue Mound Banquet Center

Saturday

9 a.m. to 3 p.m.: Arts and Craft Show, Luverne School Commons & Cardinal gym

10 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Gingerbread House voting, Luverne School

10 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Santa’s Workshop, Elementary School Commons

11 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Pictures with Santa, Elementary School

11 a.m.: Phil Baker children’s show, Luverne Elementary School activity room

1 p.m.: Phil Baker children’s show, Luverne Elementary School activity room

1-7 p.m.: Dollar swim, Luverne Area Aquatics & Fitness center

1-9 p.m.: Festival of Trees, Carnegie Cultural Center

1-9 p.m.: Christmas Memories, Hinkly House

4:30 p.m.-close: Wine tasting, Blue Mound Liquor

6 to 9 p.m.: Steak Fry, Luverne Eagles Club

7 p.m.: Parade of Lights

Tags: news, luverne, winterfest