by Logan Gruber
operations@thenewsleaders.com
A number of volunteers and businesses have pooled their resources to create the Winterwalk, taking place from 5-8 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 12, in downtown St. Joseph.
Winterwalk is a new event, taking place concurrently with the fifth annual tree-lighting downtown.
Margy Hughes, along with a number of other volunteers and local businesses, has been working hard to make Winterwalk a success. She said the St. Joseph Action Group began a Christmas tree-lighting event five years ago, and it’s been growing ever since, with new volunteers and new ideas. This year, the St. Joseph Chamber of Commerce is involved, and many donations have been made.
“We have the candles donated, and we’re getting the tree from Riverbluff Tree Farm,” Hughes told the Newsleader in an interview.
The candles are a new part of this year’s event, and are the main reason for the use of the name ‘Winterwalk.’
“[the candles] started with an idea from [Minnesota Street Market general manager] Pat Benson,” Hughes said.
Benson, along with Colleen Hollinger Petters, also helped organize the event.
“We know this event is really popular and beautiful in Northfield [Minn.], and want to start it here in St. Joseph…Northfield’s Winterwalk has grown to include a parade and almost 2,000 luminaries,” Hollinger Petters said.
While St. Joseph won’t have 2,000 candles lining the streets, Hughes said there would be more than 100 luminaries stretching from Sal’s to Millstream Shops on the north side of Minnesota Street, and north on College Avenue to Bo Diddley’s and La Playette. Several businesses will be open late, if they aren’t normally, and will be having special deals. There will even be holiday music to enjoy.
“Jeff [Engholm]’s got it fixed so music will come from the second floor of the Minnesota Street Market,” Hughes said.
She also said the Market will have Boy Scouts on hand, selling wreaths for the holidays.
Besides the luminaries and the businesses being open late, there will be lots of activities happening around downtown to enjoy with family and friends to kick off the holiday season.
At 6 p.m., there will be a tree lighting at Bello Cucina’s patio. The tree has been lit by a special guest the past four years: Mike McDonald as the Living Tree in 2013, Mayor Rick Schultz in 2012, Lisa Wallin as Mrs. Claus in 2011 and Phil Welter in 2010. This year’s tree lighter is still a mystery, Hughes says. But she did say there is always a big countdown.
After reading the previous paragraph, you might have asked yourself, “What is ‘the Living Tree’?” The answer is: Mike McDonald in a Christmas-tree costume. The Living Tree will be on hand all evening, along with Santa and Mrs. Claus.
Carolers will also be present at the tree-lighting ceremony to add to the bright and cheery mood. The Kennedy Community School Singers will carol into the evening, along with Aurora Wahlstrom, granddaughter of Ellen and Bob Wahlstrom of St. Joseph.
From 6:30-8:30 p.m., at Heritage Hall in the St. Joseph Catholic Church, Santa, Mrs. Claus and the Living Tree will all be handing out treat bags and refreshments to the good little boys and girls. Those who wish to can also participate in making Christmas ornaments.
“Our big hope is it will be a lovely evening,” Hughes said.
The north side of Minnesota Street, from Sal’s bar to Millstream Shops, and north on College Avenue up to Bo Diddley’s and La Playette, will be lined with luminaries, as seen here. The luminaries that will be used are candles inside of a paper bag, weighed down with sand.
