Humbug Scrooge to lead Walk Through Christmas

by Dennis Dalman

editor@thenewsleaders.com

Visitors to The Waters Church in Sartell will have a chance to take a journey through the past, the present and the future when Ebenezer Scrooge: An Interactive Family Experience takes place from 5-9 p.m. Thursday-Sunday, Dec. 4-7.

Also known as The Waters’ annual Walk Through Christmas, the event involves people in small groups walking to various indoor stations near the church to see and hear inspirational experiences in a colorful theatrical manner.

This year, Charles Dickens’ humbug skinflint Ebenezer Scrooge will lead the group through past, present and future. The walk-through is a virtual stage play, scene by scene, as visitors walk from place to place. Three of the scenes take place in heated buildings so participants don’t have to worry about shivering in cold weather. The fourth and final scene will take place around a campfire in a “cemetery.” At the end, there will be a hayride with concessions, and all concession-sales proceeds will be given to Place of Hope.

This is the third winter The Waters has produced Walk Through Christmas.

Lanterns will light the way along the woodsy paths.

Every 10 minutes, a group of up to 20 people will leave the church for the walk through the woods. Each walk takes about 30 minutes. There are enough spots open for 1,600 people. About 150 volunteers contribute to the event each year.

“We wanted to do something creative, an interactive family experience, something where everybody bundles up for a Christmas-y, festive, fun event,” said The Waters Pastor Doug Vagle.

No tickets are required for Ebenezer Scrooge, but registrations are recommended to make sure people can be accommodated within the groups on any given time block. To register, go to the following website: thewaterschurch.net.

Then click on Ebenezer Scrooge and choose your preferred time block from 5-8:30 p.m. (30-minute increments). Then fill in the blanks below the time chart and submit your request.