SeniorConnectionsHJ . COM Senior Connections January / February 2024
OLD-FASHIONED CHRISTMAS from Pg 2
year ’ s Old-Fashioned Christmas , while Alex said he liked the crafts and seeing the creativity of local vendors .
Wendy Franklin , a Delano resident who owns Wendy ’ s Wheel Pottery , said it was a “ great day for people coming out ” and exploring the Old-Fashioned Christmas Market .
She said she makes cups , mugs , bowls , dishes , and more in her garage and sells them mostly at shows in Delano .
“ The crowds have been great ,” she said . “ I ’ ve sold a ton .”
The day , which began at 10 a . m ., featured plenty of events for everyone in the family . There were music , food , shopping , crafts , stories , and more .
Highlights included Christmas market , storybook character hunt , Narren of New Ulm performers , Deladazzle parade , Christmas train rides by Fall Harvest Orchard , and s ’ mores from the Delano Area Chamber of Commerce . Overall , it was a gold star year , Neaton said . “ Everything was in our favor ,” he said . “ The weather was absolutely perfect for December 2nd . Our promotions were great , so the word was out .”
The holiday event has become an annual tradition in Delano , where it ’ s been celebrated for more than a decade , Neaton said . People mark it on their calendars and look forward to it .
“ There ’ s certain traditions they look forward to ,” he said .
This year ’ s Old-Fashioned Christmas featured many returning favorites , like the Deladazzle parade , in its eighth year , and the Narren of New Ulm , who returned for their second year .
The group of Old World characters wears handcarved wooden masks and colorful costumes . They tell stories , dance , and share their German heritage with audiences .
Among the day ’ s biggest hits were the llamas from Carlson ’ s Llovable Llamas in Waconia , Neaton said . It was the first time they appeared at Old-Fashioned Christmas .
It also was the first year for the Old-Fashioned Christmas Medallion hunt , which began with the first clue on Monday , Nov . 20 . It ended a week later on Monday , Nov . 27 .
Sammie Kurr of Delano found it in the old after-hours deposit box outside the Delano Library , which used to be the Delano State Bank .
She won $ 100 in Delano dollars from the Delano Area Chamber of Commerce .
Santa held court Saturday next to the Christmas tree in front of city hall . Children could be seen sitting on his lap as their parents took photos .
It ’ s been rumored that he ’ s seeing who ’ s naughty or nice and is working on a holiday list of some kind .
“ Most of the kids are very nice ,” Kris Kringle said . “ Only a few naughty ones .”
It was Kringle ’ s second trip to Delano in a little more than a week . He also stopped in town during the Christmas tree lightning ceremony at River Front
Park .
“ Delano is such a festive place to be ,” Kringle said . “ And I have been coming here for many , many years .”
He promised it wouldn ’ t be his last trip of the year to Delano , which seems to be turning into a main stop on Santa ’ s flyway .
The Grinch was also seen hanging around Kringle , even posing with him for a photo . The two seem to have made peace since the Grinch impersonated Kringle and stole all the gifts in the small town of Whoville .
It ’ s unclear where Whoville is located , but rumors suggest it ’ s at the foot of Mount Krumpit where the Who people live .
The two weren ’ t the only fictional characters at Old-Fashioned Christmas . The Grinch was one of the 15 storybook characters that could be found downtown . They were part of the day ’ s storybook character hunt .
Children who got cards stamped by all the characters were entered into a drawing . The winners rode the Fall Harvest Orchard Christmas train during the Deladazzle Parade .
Saturday was filled with “ lots of holiday spirit ,” Delano Mayor Holly Scrupp said .
She spent part of her day at the Heritage Center making crafts with children , including stringing popcorn and cranberries and creating a button spinner .
“ Not everything has to have batteries and be rechargeable ,” she said .
While Neaton wouldn ’ t make a guess on the size of the crowd , he said more people attended this year ’ s event than last year ’ s .
Linda Young , owner of the Book Nook , said “ thousands of customers ” stopped by her store Saturday . It was her best day since opening her store three years ago . She wasn ’ t the only downtown retailer who enjoyed brisk sales . “ It ’ s a very good day for us ,” The ReFoundry co-owner Yvonne Smith said .
Customers visiting her store were looking for seasonal items , she said . They bought candles , tabletop Christmas trees , gifts , and decorations .
Old-Fashioned Christmas was a big day for Vintage On Bridge , too . Business at the store was “ fabulous ,” co-owner Stacy Frank said .
“ We love this day ,” co-owner Brenda Stevens said . “ We look forward to it every year .”
“ We do so much to prepare for it , too ,” she said . “ All of our vendors are all in . We do a lot of preparation for this day .”
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SeniorConnectionsHJ . COM Senior Connections January / February 2024
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