The area’s 2025 Christmas holiday season kicked off with the Christkindlemarkt on Second Street in Goodhue Saturday December 6th. A chilly but bearable day with a little snow on the ground fostered a festive mood among the many visitors. The Goodhue Chamber of Commerce revamped the former Christmas in Goodhue celebration into the outdoor experience several years ago. A group of volunteers help with the event, planning a variety of activities to entertain all ages.
Between 10 AM and 4 PM the popular horse-drawn wagon rides departed and returned near the fire hall, a short walk to the Bake Shoppe and downtown businesses. Many of the shops offered special deals and activities including 40% off at the Barrel Hut, free wrapping paper from Lana Huemann Real Estate, and cookie decorating and crafts at the Corner Bar.
The Goodhue Sanctuary hosted its monthly open play day for children who could also visit with Santa inside The Third Place. The Grinch delighted older kids as he strolled the market but the younger kids were wary when he arrived at J-Hill Promotions for photo ops as the event drew to a close there with the announcement of the holiday lighting contest. Chosen for first place was 2nd Avenue resident, Sara Strusz, the Heintz Family on 180th Avenue and Dean and Connie Staton on North 4th Street.
Within the downtown market The Depot served German food and St. Luke’s Care Team offered hot chocolate and raised funds through donations and soft pretzel sales. 24 Vendors lined the street selling Christmas crafts and wonderful household and gift items.
Glenn Albers, a Lake City resident who grew up in Goodhue and would sometimes substitute teach at the school during his 37 year career, loved seeing people he knew while manning his booth. Albers has been making birch wood reindeer for the past 7 years and decided to bring his hobby to the market for the first time in 2025. He heard it was a good show and he was not disappointed saying, “It started slow but picked up and I had good sales. I’m glad I came”. He came with 31 reindeer when the market opened and had only 13 left two hours before closing. He picks up the wood pieces wherever he can find them including storm clean-up after a Derecho hit Iowa. He describes the finished products as “Glued, screwed and solid in four sizes—baby, small, large and Bubba”.
Each vendor pays a $35 fee to offset the chamber’s costs for permits, the horse-drawn wagon, Santa and other expenses. The chamber also uses the $10 home tour ticket fee to help fund the happenings. Josh and Lindsay Finnesgard opened their 40054 Highway 58 home to visitors from 10 AM to noon. Also on the tour was 101 North 5th Street, purchased by Michael and Kylie Brunkhorst in 2021. Many Goodhue residents remember the former Haas home routinely decorated with 75 Christmas trees. With a nod to that tradition, the Brunkhorsts only displayed 74, which included ornaments and figurines.
Originally from Pine Island, Kylie stages homes for sale as part of her job with Coldwell-Banker Nybo & Associates Realty in Red Wing. Using those skills in her own home, she admits that Christmas is her favorite season to decorate. She and Michael, a Red Wing native and wastewater operator at Prairie Island, love the charm of the woodwork in the 1920 four-square. The couple has worked hard removing carpet, staples and old stain in order to refinish the floors and staircase. They also completely renovated the kitchen and say they have lots of little things to finish both inside and outside of their home.
Recently married when they decided to purchase a home, they looked for something affordable thinking it might just be a starting point, but have decided to stay. The Brunkhorsts describe Goodhue as a small town whose school is a priority and people so willing to help. Michael sees it as a community that likes to be involved, and he jumped right in joining the Volksfest committee and the city council. Citing the feeling of “small town togetherness” as a reason to stay, they agree, “We love it here!”
