Minnesota Prairie Roots

Writing and photography by Audrey Kletscher Helbling

Celebrating winter & the holidays at Winterfest in Faribault December 4, 2025

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The Winterfest logo banners a vintage pickup truck during the 2017 Winterfest Parade of Lights. (Minnesota Prairie Roots copyrighted file photo 2017)

WITH SOME SEVEN INCHES of snow on the ground and freezing temps, Winterfest in Faribault this week will actually look and feel like winter. So I’ll dig out the long johns, wool socks, winter boots, stocking cap, scarf, new Thinsulate fingerless mittens/gloves and warm parka to take in the festivities.

The first event is not actually part of the official Winterfest schedule, but is still a local kick off to the holidays. The Cathedral of Our Merciful Saviour hosts the Faribault High School Choir at a free concert of holiday classics and traditional carols at 1:30 pm on Thursday, December 4.

Ice carvers wrap up their work carving a teddy bear during the 2022 Winterfest. (Minnesota Prairie Roots copyrighted file photo December 2022)

Things really get moving later Thursday with Hometown Holidays activities centered at Buckham Center. From 5-7 pm, there will be horse-drawn carriage rides through the historic downtown, ice sculpture carving, a Buckham West Pop-Up Shoppe, music and lots for the kids to do, including crafts, a bounce house, and visits with Santa and Mrs. Claus. Voting also happens for the best Christmas window display in the downtown window decorating contest.

A Grinch tops a Christmas tree in the 2024 Winterfest Adopt-a-Tree Christmas tree give-away to those in need. (Minnesota Prairie Roots copyrighted file photo 2024)

Friday, December 5, brings another fun evening of events from 5:30-7:30 pm, this time at the new Viaduct Park along the Straight River. Activities include tree and park lighting, visits and photos with The Grinch, student dance and musical performances, and more carriage rides. Complimentary popcorn and hot chocolate will also be available.

Chris Delesha of Delesha’s Woods sells his handcrafted art at the 2024 Legion market. (Minnesota Prairie Roots copyrighted file photo December 2024)

Saturday, December 6, promises a day jam-packed with things to do. That starts with a 10 am-3 pm Christmas Market at the Faribault American Legion. Also at 10 am, the Paradise Center for the Arts offers art created by more than 30 area artists during its Holly Days Sale. The sale will be open until 7:30 pm Saturday and continues during December. At 11 am and within walking distance of the Legion and arts center, 10,000 Drops Distillers hosts its annual Craft Spirits Holiday Bazaar until 4 pm (and again on Saturday, December 13).

In between all of the Christmas markets, Faribault Harley Davidson is hosting a Little Biker Santa Party from 11 am-2 pm geared toward the little people. There’s a coloring contest, photos with Santa and other activities, plus mac n cheese, while supplies last. The Harley shop is collecting non-perishable food items at the event for the St. Vincent de Paul food shelf.

The Alexander Faribault House dining room set for the holidays during the 2017 Christmas open house. (Minnesota Prairie Roots copyrighted file photo December 2017)

Just as the Craft Spirits Holiday Bazaar ends, the nearby Alexander Faribault house opens to the public from 4-6 pm for an 1850s French-Canadian style Christmas. Town founder Alexander Faribault and his wife, Mary Elizabeth, lived in this house now owned by the Rice County Historical Society. The RCHS hosts the free Christmas open house annually during Winterfest.

As Saturday progresses, so do Winterfest activities with an Ugly Sweater Run/Walk beginning at 4:30 pm at Viaduct Park. Participants will follow city recreational trails in this first ever run/walk during Winterfest.

A crowd waits along Central Avenue for the Parade of Lights to start in 2024. (Minnesota Prairie Roots copyrighted file photo December 2024)

Then, at 5:30 pm, the highlight of Winterfest for most, the Parade of Lights, begins, heading south along Central Avenue from Sixth Street Northwest to Division Street. Fireworks at Viaduct Park follow the parade. The direction of the parade route and the timing of the fireworks have both changed from previous years. Parking is also banned along Central Avenue, which pleases me greatly.

Capping off Winterfest is a street dance with music by Saint Suburbia at Crooked Pint (by Viaduct Park) from 6-10 pm. Amenities include a heated tent, an outdoor bar and burn barrels.

There you go. Join Faribault in welcoming winter in a big way this week via Winterfest.

© Copyright 2025 Audrey Kletscher Helbling

 

From Faribault: Oh, Christmas tree, oh, Christmas tree December 5, 2020

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A star shines atop a tree at Central Park as the sun sets Saturday evening.

THIS WEEKEND IN FARIBAULT, we would have celebrated Winterfest, complete with a lighted holiday parade, fireworks and more. But, due to COVID-19, organizers canceled the celebration. And rightly so.

Santa at Central Park.

But then the Faribault Parks and Recreation Department got creative, coming up with a Drive-by Tree Display as part of the community’s annual Hometown Holidays celebration, which typically centers at the library with activities and the arrival of Santa on a fire truck. None of that happened.

Decorated trees line the sidewalk in Faribault’s Central Park.
Each tree is uniquely decorated.
The display is just across the street from the historic cathedral.

This year we have Christmas trees—a line of 19 decorated evergreens stretched along one block on the east side of Central Park next to Second Avenue and across from the Cathedral of Our Merciful Saviour.

We arrived around 4 pm with plenty of time to view the trees before dark.
Detailed ornaments grace many of the trees.
The lights turned on as the sun set.

Randy and I checked out the display around sunset Saturday evening. It’s beautiful. In daylight. And even more lovely when the sun colors orange into the sky and darkness edges in and the holiday lights switch on.

Randy walks ahead of me, northbound along the row of trees.
Among the many simple and beautiful toppers.
Looking to the south…

Meant to be a drive-by look-and-see, Randy and I opted to walk by. The timing of our visit meant few people in the park. We had our masks in hand if needed.

An angel tops a tree.
I loved viewing and photographing the wide variety of tree toppers.
Especially beautiful as the sun colored the sky.

Walking by and stopping at the trees provided a close up look of ornaments, of tree toppers, of all the details that made each tree a holiday delight.

A downtown hair salon decorated this tree.
A local church created a faith-themed tree.
Another tree sponsor: Faribault Heritage Days.

Each of the 19 trees was decorated by a business or non-profit or organization. I appreciate the thoughtfulness and effort put into decorating the trees, which will be given to St. Vincent DePaul and donated to needy families.

I’m reflected in a bulb as I photograph it.

But most of all, I appreciate this gift to my community. Now, more than ever, we need to feel uplifted, joyful, happy. And I felt all of those when I photographed these decorated trees.

A group participating in the Faribault Parks & Recreation Department’s version of The Amazing Race poses for a photo in Central Park.
Posted in Central Park for participants in Faribault’s The Amazing Race.
Santa is centered in the tree display.

If I would change one thing, it would be to leave these trees displayed for more than a few days. They went up on Thursday. Sunday, December 6, marks your last time to view the Drive-by Tree Display.

A star glows atop a tree.
The lovely trees drew both motorists who slowly drove by and also pedestrians.
The largest tree stands in front of the historic Central Park Bandshell.

What a gift. Thank you, Faribault Parks and Recreation and all who participated in what I hope will become an annual community tradition.

© Copyright 2020 Audrey Kletscher Helbling

 

The holiday spirit comes to Faribault during Winterfest this week (end) November 28, 2018

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This classic vintage pick-up truck decorated by Brushworks Signs rated as one of my favorite entries in last year’s Winterfest parade. Minnesota Prairie Roots file photo December 2017.

 

MORE AND MORE, COMMUNITIES in greater Minnesota are discovering the value in creating holiday events that attract locals and visitors. That includes Faribault, which this week hosts Winterfest, an expansion of the long-running Hometown Holidays.

It’s a smart move on the part of host, Faribault Main Street. Anything that brings people into Faribault benefits tourism and businesses through exposure and sales. This marks the second year of Winterfest, highlighted last December by a Parade of Lights. This year fireworks precede the 5:30 p.m. Saturday parade along Central Avenue in our historic downtown.

 

Faribault’s version of the Polar Express. Minnesota Prairie Roots file photo December 2017.

 

But before I expound on Saturday, there’s Thursday’s Hometown Holidays evening of family-oriented attractions and activities from 5 – 7:30 p.m. at Buckham Center. From greeting Santa and his reindeer to crafts, music, snacks, a holiday movie and more, families will find plenty to do. I wish my granddaughter lived closer. I’d take her.

 

Local merchants showcase the holiday spirit in window displays. Minnesota Prairie Roots file photo December 2017.

 

A few blocks away in the heart of the business district, the holiday spirit prevails Thursday evening in a window decorating contest, horse-drawn wagon rides, ice carving, and caroling by Due North, a Minneapolis-based a cappella group. From 6 – 8 p.m. our local art center hosts the Paradise Center for the Arts Acoustic Gallery featuring music by Cannon River Currents and artisan gifts crafted by 20 regional artists at the Holly Days Sale. Downtown shops will be open, too.

That’s Thursday. Friday focuses on teens with open gym and swim, board games and other activities at the Faribault Community Center from 6 – 8 p.m.

 

Me, ringing bells for the Salvation Army outside Walmart. Minnesota Prairie Roots file photo.

 

Then comes Saturday, a day so jam-packed with events that I wonder how I can possibly get to everything. I’m also ringing bells for the Salvation Army for two hours.

 

The table set for Christmas guests at the Alexander Faribault house. Minnesota Prairie Roots file photo December 2017.

 

Saturday at 10 a.m., the Rice County Historical Society opens the doors to the home of our town founder for a French-Canadian Christmas at the Alexander Faribault House. That runs until 3 p.m. But if Saturday doesn’t work for you, the historic home will also be open on Friday from 4 – 7 p.m. It’s a fun way to learn about Faribault history in a festive setting.

 

The back of the parade as it heads north along Central Avenue in downtown Faribault. Minnesota Prairie Roots file photo December 2017.

 

History will also be on display along Central Avenue at the Faribault Sno-Go Club Vintage Snowmobile Show from 1 – 4 p.m. Saturday. Then, as darkness settles, units start arriving for the 5:30 p.m. parade with the fireworks kick-off. A street dance follows from 6:30 – 10 p.m.

In between, you can take in Mick Sterling Presents “At Christmas,” a blended show of music and comedy opening at 7:30 p.m. at the Paradise Center for the Arts. Sunday brings another holiday show with the Paradise Children’s Theatre performing “The Nutcracker Prince” at 2 p.m. and again at 4 p.m.

 

Minnesota Prairie Roots file photo 2014.

 

That’s a lot happening in my community. And I’m sure there’s more, like the annual craft and bake sale and luncheon at Peace Lutheran Church on Saturday.

 

Crowds gather along historic Central Avenue as the sun sets before the 2017 Parade of Lights. Minnesota Prairie Roots file photo 2017.

 

I’m grateful to all who are working so hard to bring the holiday spirit to Faribault through Winterfest and other events. Thank you.

TELL ME: Does your community host any big holiday events?

© Copyright 2018 Audrey Kletscher Helbling