AS I WATCHED THE LIVE TV broadcast last week of the Christmas tree lighting at Rockefeller Center in New York City, I, for a brief moment, wished I could be there. The pulse of the music, the enthusiasm of the crowd, the coming together in a singular celebration drew me in. But then I realized how much I would dislike the pounding music, the pressing crowds, the feeling of being hemmed in by skyscrapers.
I much prefer the small town celebrations of southern Minnesota. The lighted holiday parades, the fireworks, the concerts, the holiday boutiques, the festive window displays, neighborhoods ablaze in decorative lights, even the blow-up Santas and reindeer and snowmen that, by morning, deflate in heaps of folded plastic.
Already I’ve attended several holiday events. That includes Winterfest in Faribault where, at Central Park, children and parents lined up Friday evening for photos with The Grinch. “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” ranks as a favorite animated film with its message that Christmas joy is found in each other, not in material possessions and holiday busyness. As I observed the waiting families, I wondered how many kids actually recognized The Grinch and might even have felt a bit scared of the kinda scary looking green guy. Yet, kids and parents and grandparents pressed together, connecting in memory-defining moments.
Next to the small tent sheltering The Grinch, I grabbed a bag of complimentary popcorn (and later a cup of hot chocolate) before heading along the park sidewalks to see the 64 lighted and decorated trees in the Adopt-A-Tree program. Organizations, businesses and others purchase and decorate artificial trees displayed in the park and then given to families in need. The creativity and generosity impress me as this program continues to grow each December.
On this evening, when fires blazed in barrels and attendees rode around the block in a horse-drawn wagon and youth sang, I felt a strong sense of togetherness.
I felt the same on Saturday while watching fireworks along The Virtues Trail, a city-owned trail lined with affirmative messages on posts. As Randy and I waited in the cold for the show to begin, we visited with friends Dave and Tammy and made new friends with a Mankato couple dining at the nearby Depot restaurant. I welcomed them to Faribault. Again, I felt the joy that comes in connecting, in conversation, in sharing a moment in time.
Soon fireworks burst into the dark night sky against the backdrop of the historic viaduct. Sparkles and glitter and bold booms and streams of color and light had me occasionally closing my eyes. Still, the experience, this gathering of people bundled in warm winter coats and stocking caps and scarves and mittens, brought us together on a December evening.
Afterwards, we joined the throngs walking two blocks to Central Avenue for the Parade of Lights. Crowds lined the downtown street in warm 30-degree temps for the 45-minute parade. I stood next to John and Laurie, there with their daughter and her family, including 18-month-old identical twin girls. Randy stood next to a drink-holding woman who’d spent time already at a bar. She was happy, shouting “Merry Christmas” to parade participants, gathering candy to give to Randy, keeping chocolate for herself. She was fun and generous and spirited.
As I watched the parade, I, too, pocketed the occasional chocolate, waved, danced a bit, caught up in the moment. Randy dropped a circular green glow stick atop my stocking cap as The Grinch passed, one of many. Multiple Santas and kids and dogs and just a whole lot of parade participants spread holiday happiness. This, I thought, is what The Grinch felt—this happiness found not in stuff or in busyness, but in community.
© Copyright 2023 Audrey Kletscher Helbling
Minnesota Prairie Roots 
The Christmas Tree decorating and donating is such a fantastic inspiration for the season!
That it is. I am thankful to live in a community with generous hearts.
So much going on there! Lovely!
Just like everywhere else right now. So much happening…
Sounds like you had a fun weekend.
I, too, like the Christmas Tree donations…hopefully I can make it down there to see them again this year.
The trees are coming down Friday morning, being picked up by, or delivered to, those families in need.
I couldn’t agree more, that the smaller towns’ way of welcoming and celebrating is so much more comforting and joyful, than a huge, loud crowded event. I’ve never had the desire to be in times square to watch the ball drop, or anything close to that. I love the festival of trees, what a great idea, and most of all the very human connection and shared joy at all of the local events.
I am definitely one who avoids crowds, much preferring small scale celebrations and connections.
We used to go out to tiny Baker City in Eastern Oregon to see their Christmas parade – tractors and trucks decorated with lights, the high school marching band, Santa Claus, and a tree lighting – usually all at -2℉. 😃
I would have loved that small town celebration, except for the temp.
I envy the sights sounds and the stirring of memories, the smells of the season, even the snow if you have it. Takes me back my comforting days of the innocence of my youth, I was offered a chance to ride a float this year – as a Confederate Soldier! Ufda! I am the great Great and Great Grandson of a number of Confederate soldiers! This is a whole new thing for me! Not much snow in this neck of the woods! And no, I think I will pass on the Lutefisk but hand over and Lefse you might find.
So did you ride on the float, Gunny?
Sorry, I missed that one. However, we do have another one coming up and that one, given the time frame, I just might do. However, I have worn my Confederate Uniform that stuns a lot of people. Most people think of what is called Confederate Gray (there are 4 shades of gray used by the Confederates with either yellow, blue or red trim – sometimes dark blue or black plus a yellow brown fabric in a color called butternut. I wear a Kepi hat with a dark blue insert on the top (the round section of the top of the hat) plus white pants which seems to puzzle a bunch of people. One of my group wears a white “barrel: or short jacket that is white with gray pants, He and I are often singled out by others for pictures due to our “odd” uniforms. Difference? His represents a Texas Infantry Regiment while mine is a CSA Marine (what would you expect) uniform.
I always learn a lot from you, Gunny.