Winterfest set for this weekend in Luverne

Luverne’s annual kick-off to the holiday season brings local businesses and community organizations together for an activity-packed weekend.
Winterfest 2015 will be Friday through Sunday, Dec. 4 through 6.
“We continue to thank all the people who come together to continually make Winterfest an exciting event,” said Luverne Area Chamber Director Jane Wildung Lanphere.
New events, expanded business hours and the use of local talent highlight this year’s Winterfest lineup.
Activities begin Friday morning with the Rock County Community Library hosting a puppet show at 10 a.m.
The public viewing of Christmas trees at the Carnegie Cultural Center will be from 1 to 4 p.m. Friday and again from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday. Also on Saturday at the Carnegie, local thespian Shawn Kinsinger will read “Christmas Stories for Kids” from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m.
Blue Mound Liquor will host a wine and beer tasting from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday and again on Saturday at the same times.
The Eagles Club will set up a cribbage tournament beginning at 6:30 p.m. Friday and a steak fry from 6 to 9 p.m. on Saturday.
The Palace Theatre is the location that culminates Winterfest activities by showing “The Peanuts Movie” at 7 p.m. Friday and again at 2 p.m. Sunday.
 “A free box of popcorn will be given for every ticket purchased,” Lanphere said. The popcorn is compliments of Luverne Area Chamber.
The Winterfest Arts and Crafts show at the Luverne Elementary School starts off Saturday’s activities. The show begins at 9 a.m.
“We added another hour to the craft show,” Lanphere said about the new 4 p.m. closing.
The event features 90 vendors, some of whom are attending the show for the first time due to vendor retirements, she added.
Rock County 4-H Ambassadors will conduct their Santa’s Workshop for grades kindergarten through four in a larger location at the elementary school. Participants are able to make holiday projects for gift giving from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday.
Lunch will be available at the craft show through the Luverne Music Boosters.
For the second year, the Rock County Sno Masters will conduct a free swap meet and membership drive beginning at 10 a.m. at the Howling Dog.
The Rusty Nutz Vintage Snowmobile Club will also conduct a show and a scheduled ride will take place pending snow conditions.
Myhre Studio will photograph individuals with Santa from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at the elementary commons. Proceeds will be given to Rock County SHARE.
Participants at Thursday’s Luverne Community Education’s “Kids in the Kitchen — Winterfest Cookie Contest” event will assemble a plateful of decorated cookies for display at the elementary. Attendees to the Art and Craft Show may vote for their favorite plate with the top three vote-getters receiving prizes.
The Hinkly Christmas Open House will be from 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday, featuring fine arts displays by local artist Carol Ceyonwa (see separate story.)
Luverne Street Music’s Sounds of Christmas at the Palace Theatre will be performed in two holiday recitals this year, both on Saturday, with one at 4:30 and another at 7 p.m.
Selected Luverne merchants have expanded their business hours until 7 p.m. on Saturday.