by Dennis Dalman
Santa Claus is revving up his sleigh (well . . . firetruck, that is), getting ready to take a ride down Sartell streets to greet eager kiddies young and old starting at 5:15 p.m. Friday, Dec. 20.
Santa’s circuitous ride will start at Third Street S., go north, turn east to Riverside Avenue, then past St. Francis Xavier Church, west on 2-1/2 Street N. and north, reaching Pinecone Road and heading north to Sartell High School. The return route will go south on Pinecone Road and then wind through streets to the west, south and east to the community center, then west again a couple miles west of where the ride began. (To see the Santa Ride’s streets’ route in more detail, see the map on the City of Sartell website under “Attractions and Annual Events.”)
More Santa Dec. 20
Later, during that same evening (Dec. 20) after his firetruck ride, Santa will be grinning big as he greets kids and grown-up kiddos during a “Kids’ Pajama Party” inside the Sartell Community Center from 5-7:30 p.m. It will all happen during the nightly Country Lights Festival with the 30-plus acres of outdoor grounds by and near the community center transformed into a visual extravaganza of illuminated displays and walkways. The “Kids’ Pajama Party” is made possible by Pinecone Vision Center, its sponsor.
Santa’s early visit
Earlier, a week before his slated Merry Ride on Sartell happens on Dec. 20, Santa was the “Ho-Ho-Ho’ing” Jolly Guest inside the Sartell Community Center from 5-7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 13. His visit took place as the Lake Francis area outside the center was illuminated with 500,000 gleaming Christmas lights and decorations, all part of the month-long, annual Country Lights Festival. The Santa event was made possible by the sponsorship of Premier Real Estate.
All are welcome – Sartell residents and non-residents alike – to enjoy the free-of-charge Country Festival of Lights, sponsored by Country Financial. It will continue nightly through December and culminate with a fireworks display on New Year’s Eve night.
Schwarzentraub
After moving to Sartell years ago, Sartell resident Chip Schwarzentraub had a dream that came true eight years ago – a winter festival with dazzling light displays that could be enjoyed by residents, as well as out-of-towners.
Thus began a stellar attraction in Sartell called the “Country Festival of Lights.” It’s named after Country Financial in Sartell, of which Schwarzentraub is the regional manager.
He and his team of volunteers and a board of directors have worked hard year after year to make the winter festival a success year after year. They obtain sponsorships for the festival’s many fun activities for all age groups, and they run the daily operations to make it all come together.
The City of Sartell does not contribute to the festival with direct funding, but its Public Works team does put up the more difficult lighting displays, and the Sartell Community Center staff helps with special festival activities. Sartell’s Engagement Director Nikki Sweeter also helps with a lot of the coordination logistics.
Sweeter has high praise for Schwarzentraub, for his team and for city employees.
“They put hundreds of hours of time into the festival each year,” Sweeter said. “It’s just amazing!”
