Christmas in Mankato 2024 - second annual event

Jason Ortman, Mankato Chamber of Commerce president, said, "This has turned out to be a fantastic event. The set-up itself for Christmas in Mankato was a lot of work, which started early this year, but it was a lot of fun."

Ortman spoke on microphone to the crowd gathered on Main Street, prior to one of the final events of the evening which was the lighting of the Christmas Tree in front of the community center. He thanked those who worked and supported the Christmas in Mankato event.

Ortman said,"This event was planned well with committee work and the community came together. In particular, I want to thank those supporting us with the use of the Parson's lot which was good for the stocking stroll and the cottage. Also, a huge thank you to the City of Mankato and the city council. Thanks to Kier's Thriftway for the turkey bowl. Thanks to the Dane G. Hansen foundation for the Christmas in Mankato group awarded grant money to put this together. For the Mankato businesses, thank you for decorating your windows and for participating in the stocking stroll. Also, special thanks to all of the community volunteers that helped put this together, we really appreciate you."

The trailer rides for the children were sponsored by Darrell Bohnert and Debra Bohnert. Darrell is the mayor of Jewell.

Many holiday shopping opportunities at the event included the following which were all well attended by participants: Nuthin' Fancy Bakery, Ost Furniture and Cabinetry, Possibilities, Hidden Treasures, USD 107, Kier's Thriftway, L & S Hometown Spirits, Jewell County Historical Society and Mankato Professional Pharmacy.

A basket of prizes was donated by local businesses with a value of between $150 to $200. To participate, people were separated into two age groups for the baskets which 12 and under group, then the 13 and older group.

The participants obtained punch cards at the free movie or the turkey bowl, so to win a basket they had to get their ticket punched for all six events.

The Christmas in Mankato event extended its effect beyond the Kansas border as a family of five from Bells, Texas, were smiling as the children filled out the Letter to Santa cards. The Letter to Santa desk was hosted by Diane Freeman. 

Texas mom, Marci White, introduced her four children to Freeman; her boys Lincoln and Sterling, and her girls, Loralie and Silvie, altogether they represented three generations with grandmother, mother, and the children in the picture.

Lots of businesses in Mankato were open and decorated nicely, including the Jewell County Historical Society, which did not just have Christmas decorations alone, but a surprise for many participating in Christmas in Mankato, was the presence of a stunningly life-like wooden carving of an Indian Chief who now needs naming by someone willing to offer up a possible name in writing pending approval by the Historical Society committee. 

Slips were available for visitors to the museum to fill out with the name and phone number of those attempting to find a name that would be accepted by the Jewell County Historical Society staff. Once approved, that name will be posted near the wooden statue. 

Meanwhile on the sweet treat side of things, Kelly Stafford and her crew of bakers at Nuthin' Fancy Bakery, made the evening more enjoyable from a refreshment standpoint by offering starting at 4 p.m., a special holiday discount for premium-quality cookies and hot refreshments on a cool night in Mankato.

Stafford said, "We make baked goods from scratch, and we only use butter. We don't use margarine, because everything we make is really high quality." 

Stafford said she employs three people at her business, one is full-time, and the other two are part-time employees. She said, "We have a lot of people who come here from Belleville, Smith Center, Beloit, Superior and other locations."

Kier's Thriftway was the setting for the turkey bowl, and Tuff O'Connor was one of the first young men to knock down all 10 pins in the Turkey Bowl competition at the grocery store. O'Connor said, "I did not throw in a turkey bowl before, so I just threw it." He said he does not even bowl.

Phoenix Chavez, a strong tight end in high school football, probably threw his turkey harder than most. He knocked down 8 out of 10 pins. A couple of the women watching on the end where the pins stood, fled the area quickly when the frozen flying turkey violently slammed against the temporary backstop of a grocery cart stationed behind the pins.

Women who participated throwing turkeys at the event also showed turkey-throwing strength and accuracy to knock down all 10 pins, including Leah Pletcher and Jennifer Walker, with Walker's son, West, also throwing a strike with his turkey.  

Emily Pierce and Hailey Nelson coordinated many of the activities including getting temporary roadblocks set up to protect the event participants from wandering traffic that might otherwise enter the venue.

Sweden Cream sponsored an ice cream event at their business at about 7 p.m. when children who presented an ice cream token to the business, got a free ice cream cone.

Regular staff and volunteers at the Ute Theater made everyone who came for the movie welcome with concessions like popcorn, candy and soft drinks. 

Jason Ortman, "This is our second annual event, which started with the movie showing at 3 o'clock, followed by turkey bowling contest at the grocery store. Bob's restaurant food truck was there serving until close of the event. The post office was also here, for the youngsters to write letters to Santa which will be delivered to a mailbox here in town, and there were two nativity scene showings at the community center. Also, there was a wagon ride, tree lighting, and then the reading of the Polar Express."