by Leanne Loy
The return of the St. Joseph WinterWalk brought out some of that Holiday cheer we may have been missing throughout the last year.
Music filled the streets, twinkly lights from 100 Christmas trees lit up the downtown area and Santa listened to children’s wishes while Mrs. Claus helped them make their own ornaments.
When it came time to warm up, Heritage Hall hosted several vendors with some beautifully handcrafted pieces of art. From homemade quilts and wooden cutting boards to doll clothes and coffee, community members could get some important holiday shopping done while also giving back to their community.
Everyone gathered around the 50-foot Christmas tree at 7 p.m. to do the count down of the lighting which was followed by voices in song by carolers.
The much-anticipated opera of Amahl and the Night Visitors may have been cancelled but there was still something for everyone to see and do. This is a tradition the locals come out to see every year.
Even though WinterWalk was technically cancelled in 2020, people still came out to see the lights, and a welcomed surprise too.
“Last year they had a parade with Santa and Mrs. Claus” stated Amber Wiese, a St. Joseph local. “We try to come out every year.”
Ray Sjogren, the organizer of the event is passionate about making this the go-to annual event that everyone talks about. He was sad to lose the signature piece of the puppet performance, but they are exploring options to reschedule it and hope to bring it back to WinterWalk next year.
There are plans in the works and ideas floating around already for future WinterWalks so if you missed it this year, you’ll have a chance to join in the fun for future years to come.
Suzie Mesna, of St. Joseph, displays her handmade quilts, table runners and more at the Dec. 3 WinterWalk event.
Colton Schnettler, 5, a preschooler at Kennedy Community School, looks to his mother (not pictured) for help on what to ask Santa for Christmas Dec. 3 at WinterWalk.
A family waits in line to visit Santa Dec. 3 at Winterwalk. They are (left to right) Amara, 15, and Morgan, 10, all of St. Joseph.
Elves take a moment to pose for the camera Dec. 3 at WinterWalk. They are (left) Jasmine Kristine as “Echo,” and Alessa Boom as “Maryelle.”
Mrs. Claus shows Eli Karpinske, 11, of St. Joseph, how to make a craft Dec. 3 at the Santa Village at WinterWalk.
