Luverne turns up the holiday spirit during this weekend's Winterfest

I don’t know why, but maybe because the Peterson family celebrated Thanksgiving almost a month ago, it seemed to me that December wasn’t ever going to get here. Then all of a sudden December is here and Christmas is just three weeks away.
So now that Black Friday, Small Business Saturday and Cyber Monday have come and gone, I assume you have all your Christmas shopping done.
Oh, not the case? Well then, you’re in luck. It’s Winterfest weekend in Luverne, and there are all kinds of shopping opportunities right here —not to mention any number of holiday events.
On second thought, I’ll mention some of them. On Friday the kids can take in the puppet show story hour at the library at 10 a.m. Later in the day starting at 5 p.m. the older folks can sample some wine and beer at the Blue Mound Liquor Store. Or you might want to take a seat at the table and compete in the Luverne Eagles Club Cribbage Tournament, but if you’re more of a “brainiac,”  get a team together and show off your intellectual skills at Take 16 holiday trivia team tournament.
Saturday will keep you just as busy starting with the Arts and Crafts Show at the Luverne Public Schools. The doors open at 9 a.m. There is a $5 admission fee, but kids 12 and under get in free. Pictures with Santa by Myhre Studio get underway at 11 a.m. and go until 1 p.m. There is a $15 charge for a color 5x7, and the proceeds go to Rock County S.H.A.R.E.
The 4-H is hosting Santa’s workshop for grades K-4. The 4-H’ers will help the kids make a holiday craft for their parents or a family member. The cost ranges between $2-$5.
Rock County Sno Masters are having a swap meet and membership drive at the Howling Dog starting at 10 a.m. Hopefully (I guess) there will be some snow for riders.
If snowmobiles aren’t your cup of tea, stop by the Hinkly House Open House between 1-4 p.m. for a cup of Christmas Tea.
Of course, while you’re milling around town, be sure to check out all the Christmas shopping at our local merchants.
From there head back to Blue Mound Liquor Store and take in round two of wine and beer tasting from 5 to 8 p.m.
On Sunday, be sure to stop by the Grand Prairie Events for the Tony Boyenga Family Benefit from noon to 4 p.m. Take a moment and let the spirit of Christmas touch your heart and help this family out.
For a special holiday finale for the weekend, you have to make your way through the Luverne City Park for “Love the Light” Christmas in the Park from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. There is a $5-per-car fee for this night only, but hey, it’s the Christmas season. Don’t be a scrooge. Santa and Mrs. Claus and the Student Council elves will be on hand for pictures and hot chocolate, apple cider and cookies. You’ll have a chance to drop a buck or two or more into the freewill donation bucket as a fundraiser for the Luverne Student Council.
As you drive through the park, one of the last light displays you’ll see is the Star Herald’s. We are on a mission to get hundreds, if not thousands, of greeting cards in the hands of our deployed military personnel around the world. You can help us by dropping off a card at our display or drop it off at our office. Check out the ad in today’s Star Herald for more details on our greeting card drive.
After Saturday night you can drive through the park and enjoy the lights every night if you like, free of charge.