Twinkling lights and Christmas tunes. Sweet treats, ornaments, and Santa Claus. Traditional holiday family fun was easy to find in Goodhue and Bellechester during December. In addition to special services and programs at all area churches, both towns hosted festivities to build holiday spirit and business and social connections.
The third annual German Christmas Market was held December 2 in downtown Goodhue. Last year’s cold weather may have kept a few vendors from returning, but this year’s warm day brought a large crowd and good sales. Horse drawn wagon rides looped around town while Santa listened to children’s requests inside The Third Place. Under the big tent, The Depot served German-inspired favorites including bratwurst and Sauerkraut which ran out due to the larger than expected crowd.
The weather was not as favorable the following weekend when Bellechester hosted their lighted parade the evening of December 9. While Christmas 2023 will not be remembered as white, but warm and brown, a cold wind drove wet snowflakes across the route this night. Parade participation was downa bit in quantity but not quality. A few braved the cold and walked the route in costume. Other entries ranged from side-by-sides, to pickup trucks, to large farm equipment adorned with Christmas lights and decorations. Placing first in the competition was Brett Dankers with his custom manure pumping equipment strewn with lights and topped with holiday inflatables.
Following the parade, spectators moved inside the Fabtech building where the Bellechester Area Lion’s Club collected cash, toys, and food donations for local families. They also provided free hotdogs, snacks and hot chocolate. Kids in attendance earned extra treats for participating in games, cookie decorating, and visiting with Santa.
Santa made another stop, this time at Lodermeier’s on December 11th. He listened patiently to children’s wish lists and smiled for the photos, but he may have been a secondary attraction to the tractor rides outside the shop and to the big red tractor behind him in the showroom. Kids could sign up for prize drawings and enter a coloring contest. Everyone enjoyed cookies and socializing while Steve Bonde, a Lodermeier employee and master of the trumpet, provided holiday tunes from the second level.
