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Published November 29, 2012, 01:41 PM

100 miles of holiday entertainment

All ages can get a little giddy around Santa. Just remember when it was the little things that created the excitement of our childhoods, like making ornaments and cookies and placing the milk out. The Great River Road region conveys that same feeling by adding holiday flare, pretty much everywhere.

All ages can get a little giddy around Santa. Just remember when it was the little things that created the excitement of our childhoods, like making ornaments and cookies and placing the milk out.

The Great River Road region conveys that same feeling by adding holiday flare, pretty much everywhere.

“Through our businesses, our community and just the town feeling itself,” said Mississippi Valley Partners spokesperson Alisa Balterman, “When people come here during the first weekend in December we would like them to feel like they are just coming home to witness the beauty and wonderment of the season.”

The Mississippi River Valley, Lake Pepin area and the surrounding establishments form the Mississippi Valley Partners. These communities strive to celebrate an old-country Christmas.

“In our towns we still experience the holidays in this way - it's not about spending, it's about warmth and love,” Balterman said.

The happenings in the Mississippi Valley Partners’ 100 miles of Christmas Celebration include:

Wisconsin side

From Prescott to Fountain City, travel Hwy. 35.

  • Stockholm: Stockholm Country Christmas is Saturday, Dec. 1 to Sunday, Dec. 2. Experience the Medieval Feast and Wassailing of the Apple Trees Saturday, Dec. 1. Reservations required. Call 715-448-3502. For information, www.maidenrockwinerycidery.com.

    Generation will play at Gelly's Pub, 7 to 11 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 1. The five-piece band plays hits from artists such as Merle Haggard to Brad Paisley to George Jones.

  • Pepin: Pepin Hometown Holidays run Friday, Nov. 30 to Sunday, Dec. 2. Events include bonfires, board games, broom ball, the $100 Nutcracker Quest, music, horse-drawn wagon rides, glass ornament demonstrations and iceboating.

  • Fountain City: Cochrane-Fountain City Parent Teacher Organization puts on its Holiday Show Dec. 1. Shop 130 booths. There is a pancake breakfast from 7 to 10 a.m. Entertainment throughout the day is planned from the school choir and band, along with local acoustical band County Road G.

    Lefse Time presents “Sister - A Holiday Mixed Bag: Recycled!” that evening at 7. The concert will be at the Fountain City Auditorium, 42 N Main St.

    Check out www.sisterproductions.com or www.lefsetime.com for more information.

    Minnesota side

    From Hastings to Winona, travel Hwy. 61.

  • Hastings: Experience Victorian Holidays at the LeDuc Dec. 1 to 2 and 8 to 9. Enjoy the splendor of the elegantly decorated Victorian estate, 1629 Vermillion St. For more information visit www.dakotahistory.org.

  • Red Wing: Enjoy a hometown Christmas celebration with the Holiday Stroll and see penguins, taste roasted chestnuts, hear caroling and watch a parade Friday Nov. 23. For more information visit www.redwingholidaystroll.com.

  • Lake City: St. Mary’s Church is having a bazaar, “Christmas Around the World” featuring German, Irish, Norwegian and Spanish themes. They will have crafts, bake sale, specialty breads, cookie walk, silent auction, and serve coffee and coffee cake. Event is 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 1.

  • Wabasha: Anderson House presents “Heartfelt Holidays” every weekend in December from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Activities include fine handcraft demonstrations, Victorian family photos, parlor games, holiday crafts and visiting performers.

  • Kellogg: SVJ Designs will erect a huge sleigh and reindeer in the field next to the business. Drive up to the top of Hwy. 42.

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