Christmas in Mankato, sponsored by the Mankato Chamber of Commerce and the Dane G. Hansen Foundation, will be held on Saturday, Nov. 30. It will kick off at 3 p.m. with a free showing of The Christmas Chronicles at the Ute Theatre, which will have concessions available for purchase.
In conjuntion with the event raffle tickets for the chance to win one of these prizes: a family pool pass; a golden ticket to the theater; $100 in Chamber Bucks; or 3 months of free internet from Cunningham Cable are beng sold. The tickets are available to purchase before the event at Farmway Credit Union, State Exchange Bank, Central National Bank, Ortman Insurance, Hair and More, Country Roots, and Mankato Plumbing. They will also be available to purchase them at the event from 4:30 to 6 p.m.
Following the free movie, a new event will be taking place from 4:30 to 5:30. Welcome to Turkey Bowl where you roll a frozen turkey at bowling pins. This will take place at Kiers and will be hosted by the Jewell County 4-H Council and Kiers. Turkey Bowl is for teams of two people, made up of two youngsters, a youngster and an adult, or two adults. Turkey Bowl is just for fun, so there won’t be any prizes, but come and show off your bowling skills anyway!
For longtime residents of Mankato the Turkey Bowl is a reminder of a Christmas event held in Mankato in the 1950s when live turkeys were tossed off the First National Bank Building. Those fortunate to catch one of the live turkeys had the option to take it Kiers to have it dressed.
This year at the movie and Turkey Bowl, participants will have opportunity to get a punch card. For those who attend the following six events and had card punched at each their card will be entered into a drawing. The events include the movie; Turkey Bowl; the Live Nativity; Trailer Rides; Santa’s Post Office; and the reading of The Polar Express. After the card is punched, it is to be placed in a drawing for a prize basket. There will be two prize baskets, one for ages 12 and under, and one for ages 13 and up.
Santa will have his Post Office open from 5 to 7. There youngsters may write a letter to Santa and send it off! Stationary and postage will be provided! Santa promises to read the letters and will write back at a later date.
There will be a food court located on Jefferson Street, northwest of Mankato Professional Pharmacy, opening at 5 for those of you have worked up an appetite. Not hungry yet? Don’t fret! The food court will be open until the end of the event. There will be seating inside the community center for those who want to eat inside. Food trucks that will make up the food court are Fat Fox’s; The Dirty Porker; Crazy Tacos N More; and Deeper Well Mobile Bar.
For those wanting to sit and go for a ride around town to see the Christmas lights, or just want a nice ride, Darrell and Deb Bohnert will be offering trailer rides starting in front of Hair and More from 5 to 7.
Come to the Mankato Community Center at 5 or 5:30 for a showing of The Live Nativity that will be telling the Christmas Story from the Bible with carols throughout the story. Jewell County Helping Hands Ministries is the sponsos of this event.
For those who link snow and Christmas. they will want to go through the intersection between the pharmacy and chiropractor to see the snow machine. West of this intersection the Mankato Christmas Tree will be lit on the Mankato Community Center lawn by Mayor Justin Schoonover at 6:15. The tree lighting is sponsored by The City of Mankato.
Conductor Jeff Sells will be doing a reading of The Polar Express beginning at 6:30. He will be standing on a trailer in front of Mankato Plumbing. Announcements of awards and the raffle and punch card winners will take place after the reading. Buyers don’t have to be present to win the raffle, but the punch card winners must be present.
Hopefully the kiddos aren’t too tired at 7 because Santa and Mrs. Claus will be arriving. Parents may take pictures of their younsters with Santa and Mrs. Claus.
The Stocking Stroll also begins at 7 p.m. with more than 20 businesses and individuals providing gifts for all the youngsters that attend.
The Mankato Chamber of Commerce encourages are areas residenets to support local businesses this holiday season! Businesses that will be open for Christmas in Mankato are: Kiers, Mankato Professional Pharmacy, USD 107 District Office, Jewell County Historical Society Museum, Hidden Treasures Quilt Shop, L&S Hometown Spirits, Possibilities, Nuthin Fancy, and Ost Furniture.
Times for these events are approximate. In case of incliment weather, the event will be relocated to city building. Late schedule changes will be posted on Christmas in Mankato Facebook page.
Sponsors would like to see the pictures taken at the event, and the pictures may be shared on the Christmas in Mankato Facebook page as well!
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