Annual event marks 25th year
FUN FOR ALL — The 25th Annual Christmas in the Country event offered something for all ages in downtown Ellendale Sunday, Dec. 2. (Star Eagle photos by Rachel Rietsema)
By RACHEL RIETSEMA
Staff Writer
Sure, there may have been no white flakes blanketing Ellendale this past Sunday, but they sure had plenty of Christmas cheer to go around.
From noon to 5 p.m., town residents of all ages flocked to a myriad of entertainment and shopping events for Christmas in the Country. The kids especially had a grand ole time.
“I’ve called Santa Bingo since our kids were little, so we’ve been doing this for 25 years,” said Commercial Club member Brian Wayne. “All the bingo winners receive prizes provided by local businesses in town.”
Some of the prizes available for selection included Play-Doh, an Angry Birds ball, Candyland, bead kit, weaving loom and a Nerf basketball kit.
“Our last two prizes were a portable CD player and a DVD player,” Wayne said. “We had a wonderful turnout this year. I hope everybody enjoyed the day.”
All those that filled Vibrant Life’s Refuge round tables also had an opportunity for an up close and personal picture snapshot with Santa. Some however chose to take a walk down the street for a Country Charm craft time.
“This is our free ornament painting,” said store owner Renee Weston. “This is a great way to introduce kids to ceramics.”
Plus, it’s about the kids at this time of year, she says.
“I hope this event enhanced their day,” Weston said. “They chose from a wide variety of slab rolled ornaments including stars, castles, trees, snowmen, football helmets for the boys, ginger bread men and much more.”
This 25th annual event also covered the interests of the older demographic. As usual, adults poked their head inside the community building for the Crafts in the Country.
“From noon to 4, a variety of vendors come in with either homemade or crafted items,” said event organizer Joni Groth. “This year, we had Daisy Blue Naturals, Scentsy, wood crafts, handcrafted chocolates and many more.”
“We had a few businesses that joined us this year, the liquor store and the pizza place,” said Groth’s daughter, Allison Muilenberg, who also helped out. “This past Sunday was actually the first Sunday the liquor store was open for business.”
Last but not least, St. Aidan’s Catholic Church invited the public inside their walls for some soups and bars from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. A freewill offering was taken.
“It’s very exciting to see it going on this long,” said Muilenberg. “Next year, we are shooting for a Saturday. We will try and have a horse-drawn carriage again and host some home tours in Ellendale too. I look forward to it continuing because this event has been around since I was a little kid.”
“This event is always so fun and I always get good compliments,” said Groth. “As long as everyone continues to appreciate it, I will keep on doing it.”