WORTHINGTON -- It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas at Worthington's Pioneer Village. The re-creation of a frontier prairie town has been decked out in garlands and bows, swags and wreaths in preparation for the annual Christmas at Pioneer Village event, set for Thursday and Friday.
The event, which has signaled the start of the holiday season locally since 1989, features attractions for all ages, according to Jacoba Nagel, president of the Nobles County Historical Society, which operates Pioneer Village. Nagel began making phone calls in October to line up entertainment that takes place in four venues in the village: two churches, the saloon and the barn. In addition, Santa will set up his workshop in the village's fire hall.
The entertainment schedule includes:
LARGE CHURCH: Thursday -- Lois Gruis (handbells and piano students), Celebration Chorus, Festival Singers and pianist Matt Sorensen; Friday -- St. Mary's Church Choir, Worthington Brass, Danielle Weg's piano students, Maynard Townswick on the accordion, In Harmony, Teresa Widboom and the Christopherson Family.
SMALL CHURCH: Thursday -- Karen singers from Indian Lake Baptist Church, Ron Ahlgren on accordion, storytelling and poetry by Karsten Piper and St. John's Choir from Okabena; Friday -- St. Kilian Catholic Church, storytelling and poetry with Karsten Piper and St. John's Choir from Okabena.
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"The St. John's Choir, they always do it in the little church because that was their church," noted Nagel about the church building that was moved from Okabena.
SALOON: Thursday -- karaoke with Cindy Harvey; Friday -- Audrey Brake on the accordion.
BIG BARN: Thursday -- Kay Prunty's Dance Academy; Friday -- karaoke with Cindy Harvey from 5 to 6:30 p.m., followed by Bruce Dysthe and Harold Vander Sloot from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
The entertainment schedule is subject to change, and there are still a couple of time slots open. Anyone interested in performing should contact Nagel, 370-3727.
In addition to the entertainment, horse-drawn wagon rides will be offered. For those who want a cushier seat, Bud Fritz of Reading Bus Lines will conduct coach tours of the Worthington lighting displays at 5:45 and 7:30 p.m. both evenings.
The Westminster Presbyterian Church youth group will serve barbecues, hot dogs, chips, bars and other foodstuffs in the saloon.
"In the fire hall, we're going to have various goodies for sale," said Nagel. "One thing we did differently this year was we sent out postcards to all our members, asking them to bring out some type of cookies or goodies to sell. It's another way of getting them involved. And for people who don't want to do their own baking, they can come out and purchase those baked goods."
A Country Store will offer honey, apples, jams and other locally-produced commodities, and woodcarver Louis Stowe will demonstrate his craft. Handmade evergreen swags will also be for sale.
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And, of course, children of all ages will have a chance to share their Christmas wishes with Santa in the fire hall.
"It'll be nice for people to see all the renovations we have done on the fire hall this year," Nagel emphasized about that venue. "A lot was donated for that, including lumber and money."
Christmas at Pioneer Village runs from 5 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday and Friday. There is an entrance fee; performers get free admission.
All the facilities that are utilized for the Christmas event are heated, Nagel said, although people should dress appropriately for the weather. Nagel hopes good weather prevails so that people come out not only to take in festivities, but also to support the year-long effort at Pioneer Village.
"You can talk to some people who have never been out there, and they've lived in Worthington for years and years," she said. "With Santa and all the performers, the music playing, it's just a great time."
