Nov. 29, 2018

This piece is presented by the Minnehaha County and Lincoln County Economic Development Associations.

Celebrate the holidays small town-style with a variety of unique activities happening for the holidays throughout Minnehaha and Lincoln counties.

Baltic

Santa is the star at Baltic’s Santa Days from 1 to 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 16, in the old elementary gym. Santa arrives at 1:30 p.m. for free photos with the kids. Activities include a visit from Mrs. Claus, games, an inflatable, a cupcake walk, bake sale, free hot chocolate and cookies, and Christmas caroling. Baltic and East Nidaros Lutheran Churches are organizing the event. Free-will donations will go the Angel Tree at Baltic High School.

Brandon

While the community doesn’t have an organized celebration, there are several events throughout the month. Get more details by clicking here.

Dec. 1-20: Make It Through the Holidays Fitness Challenge, free classes at Circuit.

Dec. 1: Brandon Lutheran WELCA Advent Brunch, 9:30 a.m.

Dec. 2: Risen Savior Annual Cookie Parade & Fair, 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Santa will visit after lunch.

Dec. 7-9: The Mighty Corson Art Players’ “Twas the Night Before Christmas,” 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 2:30 p.m. Sunday.

Dec. 10: Brandon Valley High School chorus and orchestra concert, 7:30 p.m., Performing Arts Center.

Dec. 15: Santa Storytime at the Brandon Community Library, 10:15 a.m.

Dec. 17: Brandon Valley High Sschool bands winter concert, 7:30 p.m., Performing Arts Center.

Dec. 18: Holly Jolly Hip Hop Party at the Brandon Community Library, 10:15 a.m.

Dec. 19: Risen Savior Christmas Concert, 6:30 p.m. at the Performing Arts Center.

Dec. 22: Weston Frank Ugly Sweater Party, 9 p.m., Double D.

Canton

The Canton Chamber of Commerce Christmas Parade starts at 7 p.m. Dec. 3, and Riverview Christmas Tree Farm north of town is open weekends through Dec. 9. Some downtown businesses are having open houses through Dec. 9, and several community groups have events in the first half of the month.

Dec. 1: Visit with Santa at the Good Samaritan Nursing Home, 2 to 4 p.m.

Dec. 2: Christmas in Canton With the Campfire Concerto, 4 p.m., Performing Arts Center.

Dec. 3: Soup and pie supper, 4:30 to 7 p.m., St. Dominic’s Church.

Dec. 8: Festival of Trees with live music and a Christmas vendor fair, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Lincoln County Courthouse. Gate City Events Christmas Vendor Fair, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Love Inc. Christmas Tour of Homes, 2 to 5 p.m., featuring the homes of Pam Laughlin, Ben and Miranda Oien, Mark and Tanya Iverson, Gordon and Deb Bourne, and Roger and Angie Larson. Redeemer Free Lutheran Church will host refreshments. Tickets are $10, available at the homes or in advance at Love Inc.’s Clothing Closet or the office.

Dec. 9: Family Day With Santa at The Canton Barn, 2 to 5 p.m.

Crooks

The Willow Creek Lutheran cookie parade will be from 10 a.m. to noon Dec. 1 in the Crooks Community Center. You’ll also find lefse, rosettes and krumkake and truffles, but be sure to get there right away because the treats go fast.

The community’s Old World Christmas market might not be held in its full form this year, but there will be  Santa Day at 2 p.m. Dec. 8 in the community center, Mayor Jamison Rounds said. Get a free photo with Santa, make crafts and enjoy treats.

Drop in at the Crooks library from 10 a.m. to noon Dec. 21 for Winter Wonderland. Make crafts, enjoy treats and watch “The Christmas Gift” puppet show at 10:30 a.m.

Dell Rapids

Dell Rapids kicks off the holiday season Dec. 1-2 with Christmas at the Dells. Highlights include the showing of the original “Miracle on 34th Street” at Dells Theatre, a Christmas tea at Dells Museum, sleigh or hay rides on Main Street, a soup supper at the American Legion and a Parade of Lights at 6:30 p.m. with the arrival of Santa. After the parade, Santa will be available for photos at the museum.  Click here to get the full schedule.

The Chamber of Commerce also has organized coloring, gingerbread house and house decoration contests, a mailbox for letters to Santa, a holiday punch card prize giveaway and a Selfie Elfie competition. Details can be found by clicking here.

Garretson

Hometown Christmas will be celebrated Dec. 8 in Garretson. A new addition this year is a Parade of Lights at 5:30 p.m. Activities include a free customer appreciation breakfast from 9 to 11 a.m. at the American Legion, with a holiday vendor fair from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Visit Santa from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Senior Citizens Center, where there also will be a photo booth and crafts until 3 p.m. From 3 to 5 p.m., there will be toddler train and firetruck rides. Kris Rogen is offering a tour of Nativity scenes at the farm at 48194 252^nd St. from noon to 5 p.m. Drive out or catch a shuttle ride every half-hour at the Garretson Food Center with a box of mac and cheese or a cash donation to the Food Pantry. Following the parade, there’s a fundraiser for Blue Dragon Academy’s building fund. There will be a social hour with appetizers and desserts, silent auction, 50/50 drawings and raffle prizes and a Rock N Roll Christmas Show with Surfin Safari Band. Tickets are $30 and must be purchased By Dec. 1. Tucker’s Walk Vineyard and Humble Hill Winery are having wine tasting Dec. 7-9, and Garretson businesses will be offering specials all weekend.

Harrisburg

Several businesses are celebrating the holidays with events, including Ace Hardware’s Neighborhood Christmas Party from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dec. 1. Visit Santa, make ornaments and enjoy hot cider and cookies. Resort by SDK is having Santa for dogs, kids and parents from 1 to 3 p.m. Dec. 8. Christmas Tree Acres is open through Dec. 16, and Santa will be there from 1 to 4 p.m. Dec 1.

Join Santa for Christmas stories and crafts from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Dec. 7 at the Harrisburg Community Library.

The Harrisburg High School winter band concert is at 7 p.m. Dec. 10 in the Performing Arts Center. The Harrisburg school choirs will present their holiday show, “Prairie Christmas,” at 2 and 5 p.m. Dec. 15 in the Performing Arts Center. The event includes a craft and food fair throughout the day.

Shalom Lutheran Church’s Community Christmas Cantata begins at 6:30 p.m. Dec. 19.

 Hartford

Hometown Christmas will be celebrated Sunday, Dec. 2, in Hartford. The day starts off with a community breakfast at the Hartford Fire Station and ends with a fireworks show at 7:30 p.m. In between, there are more meals, photos with Mr. and Mrs. Claus, a kids carnival, vendor show, horse-drawn wagon rides and the Jingle Bell Run. At 5:30 p.m., there’s the lighting of the Main Street Christmas tree and a Parade of Lights. Click here to get the full schedule.

The Hartford Area Chamber of Commerce is wrapping up a weeklong campaign, #Discover Hartford – Love Where You Live. The goal is to bring awareness to the variety of businesses in town, shift the spending culture so that it is more community focused and create a stronger community. Each day features different sectors of the economy.

On Dec 4, adults can make a recycled book wreath from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at the Hartford branch library. Registration is required.

Lennox

While the town doesn’t have an organized celebration, several community groups have offerings.

Dec 1: Lennox Holiday Stop & Shop, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the South Dakota Country Music Opry House & Museum. Shop hometown artists and crafters. Lunch, drinks and treats will be available as well as an appearance from a special guest.

Dec. 4: Santa Night and Christmas Tree Walk, 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the LWC Intermediate School, sponsored by the Lennox Commercial Club. Meal served with free-will donation, craft and bake sale, and visit with Santa until 7 p.m. The Christmas tree display will be open beginning at 3 p.m.

Dec. 8: The Christmas Market, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., First English Lutheran Church, hosted by Lennox Girl Scouts. Homemade crafts and other vendors, baked goods and lunch.

Dec. 9: Country Music Jam with a holiday flair, South Dakota Country Music Opry House & Museum, 2 p.m. Light lunch available. “Special guest” to make an appearance.

Dec. 15:  Festival of Tables, LWC Intermediate School, sponsored by the Lennox Band Boosters. Doors open at 10 a.m. Tour the tables and raffle items, and enjoy brunch. The band students will play holiday music. Tickets are $10 in advance or $12 at the door.

Tea

Take a photo with Santa at the Tea Community Library from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Dec. 1. Santa will read a story, and there will be cookies, face painting and coloring books.

Worthing

Billion Southtown’s Holiday Light Show includes more than 10,000 lights synchronized to holiday songs and runs every evening from 4 p.m. to midnight until Jan. 7. Visitors are invited to stop in the dealership during business hours for complimentary beverages.

The Worthing Masonic Lodge is hosting a free-will donation sausage and pancake breakfast with Santa from 8 to 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 1, at the Olde Town Dinner Theater. There will be prizes, treat bags and kids can have their photo taken with Santa.