FRIDAY, DEC. 12
A spaghetti dinner and silent auction to benefit Marti Fischer is scheduled from 4-7 p.m. at the Park Rapids American Legion. Fischer, a nurse at Essentia Health, was diagnosed with an incurable condition. Proceeds from the freewill donation will help pay her medical bills.
SATURDAY, DEC. 13
The Northern Light Opera Company presents the holiday favorite “Amahl and the Night Visitors” at the Armory Square, downtown Park Rapids. Performances are Saturday (today) at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 3 p.m. Tickets are available at Beagle Books (Park Rapids), at the door or online at northernlightopera.org.
A Christmas Concert by the Erickson Brothers & Friends will be held at 4 p.m. at Park Rapids Seventh-day Adventist Church (2 miles west on Hwy. 34). Admission is free.
Celebrate the Santa Lucia Festival, a traditional Swedish Christmas dawn procession, from 6-8 a.m. at First Lutheran Church in Bemidji. Doors open at 5:30 a.m. Enjoy a traditional smorgasbord breakfast.
Under the Julian calendar, Dec. 13 was Christmas Day and the longest night of the year. Throughout Sweden, the eldest daughter in each household, dressed in white and wearing a crown of lingonberry leaves set with seven lighted candles, sings of the light and joy of Christmas. Call Karly Sorensen at 218-444-8329 for ticket information.
SUNDAY, DEC. 14
Don’t miss the Park Rapids Eagles Children’s Christmas Party at 1 p.m. All children must be accompanied by an adult. Take your picture with Santa and enjoy games. Non-perishable food items for the local food shelf are welcome. Lunch will be served (12 and under are free; ages 13 and over $1).
Country music star Martina McBride will rock the stage with her “Everlasting Tour” at 7 p.m. at the Sanford Center Arena, Bemidji. Don’t miss this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to hear the Grammy Award winner perform. Purchase tickets by calling 800-745-3000 or online at
www.ticketmaster.com
.
Participate in the 20th Annual Itasca State Park Winter Bird Count from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Meet at the Jacob Brower Visitor Center between 7:30-8 a.m. for assignment of count areas.
Explore Itasca’s count area in search of our winter bird residents. Stay a few hours or spend the whole day. For questions and further details, call 218-699-7259.
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MONDAY, DEC. 15
The Park Rapids High School choir concert will be held at 7 p.m. at the high school auditorium.
THURSDAY, DEC. 18
The Rock & Roll Xmas Spectacular is a Las Vegas-caliber, multimedia, full-production show that mixes an 8-piece band with music, comedy, parodies and even a game show.
Join an all-star cast of musicians 7:30 p.m. at the Historic Holmes Theater in Detroit Lakes as they rock their way through timeless holiday classics and bring new takes on hit songs you didn’t even know were holiday classics. Tickets available at dlccc.org/index.php/historic-holmes-theatre or 218-844-4421.
SATURDAY, DEC. 20
Kids can enjoy a free matinee showing of “Rio 2” 1 p.m. at Park Theater while parents shop downtown Park Rapids. Children are asked (but not required) to bring a non-perishable food item for the Hubbard County Food Shelf. Drawings for prizes will be held after the movie. Mr. & Mrs. Santa Claus will make a special appearance in the lobby between 2-3 p.m., and hand out a free candy treat.
Share your Christmas wish list with Santa Claus from 3:30-6 p.m. at Bella Caffé.
WEDNESDAY, DEC. 31
The Beltrami County Historical Society presents a New Year’s Eve History Mystery from 4-6 p.m. at the Beltrami County History Center. Someone committed a crime at the Great Northern Depot on the eve of 1920. Six local historical figures were there when it happened, and all are suspects. Join this live whodunit that combines the classic game of Clue with local history. Interview the suspects, explore the depot and enjoy refreshments while uncovering clues. Solve the mystery first and win. Tickets are $15 for non-historical society members and $10 for members. Historical Roaring 1920s costumes encouraged. Reserve tickets by call 218-444-3376 or
depot@beltramihistory.org
.
SATURDAY, JAN. 24
Ski or snowshoe by moonlight along a kerosene lantern-lit trail at Itasca State Park from 5-7:30 p.m. Meet at the Jacob V. Brower Visitor Center.
Classic ski, skate ski or snowshoe at your own pace along the lantern-lit route during this drop-in program. For added fun, bring along your s’mores fixings or hot dogs for cooking at the campfire or stop in and warm up at the visitor center.
Dress according to the weather. In case of poor weather, event will be cancelled. Itasca State Park does have a limited number of snowshoes available on a first-come, first-served basis. The park does not have cross-country skis available. Contact Itasca State Park at 218-699-7251 or by email at
itasca.statepark@state.mn.us
.
