A section of Central Avenue in historic downtown Faribault photographed Thursday evening.
WITH FRESH SNOW LAYERING the ground, festive lights brightening streets and storefront windows, and an evening of holiday activities underway, it was feeling a lot like Christmas in downtown Faribault on Thursday.
The Paradise marquee promotes the annual Holly Days Sale of work by regional artists.
For sale, animal portraits by one of my favorite local artists, Julie Fakler. Her art pops with color and simply makes me smile.
Shoppers peruse local art inside the Paradise’s main gallery. Holly Days Sale art also fills the gift shop and another smaller gallery room.
There’s a wide variety of art like this leaf pottery by Dianne Lockerby.
I was especially drawn to the stunning and diverse portraits created by Pam Buschow, this one titled “Indian Woman.”
Randy and I joined in the kick-off of the second annual Winterfest by popping into the Paradise Center for the Arts,
A musician performs inside Faribault’s newest event space, The 3 Ten Event Venue.
Artist Laura O’Connor, owner of Painted, shared her talents at a face painting art and glitter bar inside 3 Ten. Here my friends’ daughter, Nevaeh, shows off Laura’s work.
One of my favorite new shops in town, Fleur de Lis, features art galore from paintings to…
handcrafted jewelry…
artisan Christmas ornaments…
Minnesota-themed mugs…
more mugs…
simply a beautiful shop brimming with artfully displayed art from Minnesota artists.
Artist Adam Scholljegerdes sculpts a snowman from ice.
pausing on the corner of Central Avenue and Fourth Street to watch ice sculpting and listen to Due North carolers;
and then simply strolling along the sidewalks viewing storefront displays. I wish, though, that all of the downtown businesses had been open and we’d had more time.
Stars and holiday lights brighten a storefront window.
It was a beautiful and balmy—for Minnesota anyway—evening to enjoy the holiday spirit and the company of friends we met while out and about. That’s one of the things I love about living in Faribault—seeing people I know like Kelly from the Chamber and Faribault Main Street (event organizers), Julie at the Paradise, young and enthusiastic entrepreneur Jess at Fleur de Lis, friends Billie Jo and Neal and family…
A genuine warmth and sense of community exist in Faribault, a place I’ve called home for 36 years. I feel comfortable here, welcomed, appreciated and valued for who I am as a person and a professional. When I attend an event like Winterfest, I see, too, the appreciation others hold for this town, the incredible talent here and a caring spirit.
Horse-drawn wagon rides were offered Thursday evening.
This weekend presents a perfect opportunity to experience Faribault as Winterfest continues into tomorrow. Evening fireworks preceding a 5:30 p.m. Parade of Lights and a street dance afterwards cap the three-day celebration.
And just to make Winterfest even more wintry, Faribault and other regions of southern Minnesota are under a winter storm watch from Saturday morning through Sunday morning with up to a possible seven inches of snow predicted. That storm could begin with freezing rain, making travel challenging. So if you’re planning a trip to Faribault on Saturday, check the updated forecast and road conditions as this storm continues to evolve. The National Weather Service currently advises: Travel could be very difficult, especially along Interstate 90 and along Interstate 35 between the Twin Cities and the Iowa border.
Stained glass garden art for sale at Fleur de Lis Gallery.
Have a great weekend, no matter where you are and what you do to embrace the holiday spirit.
Here’s a list of some activities happening in Faribault on Saturday:
- Peace Lutheran Church Craft and Bake Sale and Luncheon, 8:30 a.m. – 2 p.m.
- A French-Canadian Christmas at the Alexander Faribault house, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. (and also Friday evening)
- First English Lutheran Church Advent Bake Sale and Luncheon, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.; arrive early to buy the coveted homemade lefse (limited quantities)
- Paradise Center for the Arts Holly Days sale, noon – 5 p.m.
- Faribault Winter Farmers Market at the Paradise Center for the Arts, 1-4 p.m.
- Faribault Sno-Go Club’s Vintage Snowmobile Show, 1-4 p.m. along Central Avenue
- The Village Family Theater offers music and refreshments, 4-5 p.m.
- Winterfest fireworks, right before the 5:30 p.m. Parade of Lights
- Winterfest Street Dance, 6:30-10 p.m.
- Mick Sterling’s At Christmas, 7:30 p.m., Paradise Center for the Arts
- SHOP LOCAL throughout the day.
And on Sunday…The Paradise Children’s Theatre presents “The Nutcracker Prince” at 2 and 4 p.m.
© Copyright 2018 Audrey Kletscher Helbling
Minnesota Prairie Roots 
I love it all. Especially the Indian woman and the leaf dish. I miss living in small town North Dakota just for this reason. All of the wonderful small businesses and artists. Thanks for sharing this .
Faribault is really evolving in the arts. It’s been great to see. And, yes, there’s something about a small town, although I don’t consider Faribault small (at about 24,000 people).
Great photo’s Audrey, I know I would love this. I’m really hoping to put it on my list for next winter. I love the “lake cup” and the Indian woman….her eyes!
I am constantly impressed by the talents of artists in this region.
As far as Winterfest, Winter has caused it to be postponed.
I like the ice snowman. He is very cute.
It’s amazing what can be sculpted from ice.
Artists are showing off some great work. Olaf Weighorst (hope I did not butcher his name) is one of my all time favorite artists! An introduction to one of John Wayne’s films showed several of his works. San Antonio s a lot like areas of Minnesota and North Dakota (where I was born) but I am here because my wife likes trees. Out on the high plains of Southeastern New Mexico (land of Billy the Kid and John Chisom), mostly the landscape is almost as barren as the Moon! I love the desert, as long as it isn’t all sand. Olaf W. painted a mesa from somewhere in the Southwest. One could somehow feel or “see” the wind blowing up off the desert floor to the top of this mesa that he had painted. I considered it a beautiful painting and a very dramatic one for imparting the impression of something that was felt and not seen
Gunny, you give an insightful explanation of a work of art. “Felt and not seen.” I hope all art causes that type of reaction from the viewer.