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'Nutcracker Capital of Midwest'

Subhead
Luverne community expanding nutcracker presence for holidays and year-round
By
Lori Sorenson

Tourism expert Roger Brooks was “blown away” by Betty Mann’s 2,800-piece nutcracker collection at The History Center.
“This is flat out amazing,” he said during his June 9 assessment of Luverne. “This is worth getting off the interstate for.”
He showed an artist’s rendering of a possible billboard on I-90, “Luverne: Home of the largest nutcracker collection in the Midwest.”
Despite all of Luverne’s quality offerings, Brooks said something unique like nutcrackers is what it takes to draw in travelers off the interstate.
“There are 8 million motorists per year that travel past Luverne from the east,” he said. “We need to give them a reason to stop.”
Luverne was already pursuing the nutcracker theme last year when the community teamed up to display life-sized nutcrackers that depict their business theme or a piece of Luverne’s history.
 
Nutty for nutcrackers
For the 2016 holiday season, the Chamber sponsored a “nutcracker-go” scavenger hunt that encouraged hunters to visit more than 100 nutcrackers around town and record their names for six chances to win $50.
Following the community assessment, a Nutcracker Committee was formed to pursue more ways to promote Luverne’s unique draw.
“The Committee’s enthusiasm is contagious and they have some amazing concepts that can make Luverne’s nutcracker dream a reality,” said Chamber Director Jane Wildung Lanphere.
On Black Friday, the 4-foot-tall “Where’s Philo?” nutcracker will make his debut, Lanphere said about the figure named for Luverne’s founder Philo Hawes.
During the holiday season shoppers are encouraged to find “Philo” at businesses throughout town, take a selfie and post it on the “Where’s Philo” Facebook page.
“Philo will keep popping up in different places every two to three days, in sort of a ‘Where’s Waldo’ type of game,” Lanphere said.
The nutcracker scavenger hunt this year will include more nutcrackers and more hunting days, and a nutcracker display will be featured at the Luverne City Park.
Lanphere said the park display — possibly lighted — will include partnership opportunities for advertising and promoting participating businesses. 
The goal this year is to have 23 8-foot-tall nutcrackers for the 23 light poles in the park. So far seven poles are spoken for and several more are in the works.
They won’t be part of the scavenger hunt, but they’ll be part of a lighted display at the park with Christmas music kicking off on Winterfest Friday.
“People can drive around the park and listen to Christmas music,” she said.
“This is a great way to promote your business or organization or to honor someone special in your life.”
Business names will be displayed on a weatherproof sign. City workers have agreed to put up and take down the nutcrackers, which cost $275 ($400 for two sides).
A selection of six standard designs is available, with options to customize.
For the scavenger hunt, participants can make or order their own nutcrackers (they must be at least 4 feet tall) or they can order through the Chamber and Quality Printing.
They can order the 8-foot ones or, for $200 apiece, a 4-foot version ($315 for two sides).
To help promote Luverne as the “Nutcracker Capitol of the Midwest, the new city mascot will be a nutcracker.
Lanphere said she’s seeking a volunteer to wear a mascot costume during special events.
The next Nutcracker Committee meeting is at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 10, in the lower level of the Chamber. More people with ideas are welcome.

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