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Downtown Park Rapids was abuzz with holiday cheer on Friday, Nov. 25.
Warm weather attracted shoppers and revelers to the Yuletide Sampler and tree-lighting ceremony.
Hosted by the Park Rapids Downtown Business Association, Park Rapids Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce and CHI St. Joseph's Health Hospice, the annual event has been held for over 35 years.
Participating downtown merchants offered hot cider and numerous Christmas treats.
Connie Anderson moved to the area last year and built a house. “I just thought, ‘Maybe I should get a job, something to do, meet people. So that’s what I’m doing!” she said as she dispersed scotcheroos to visitors at Rustic Cabin Decor.
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Camree Carlson’s lovely voice sent carols throughout the Enjoy candy store, while Fran Gack sang for patrons at Beyond Juice.
Outside, families gathered around campfires to roast marshmallows. Parenting Solutions handed out the roasting sticks and kept the fires burning. Walmart donated the marshmallows.
Abide Vineyard Church handed out free hot cocoas.
Park Rapids Lakes Area Chamber President Derek Ricke served as emcee of the Heartland Lakes community tree-lighting ceremony. Camp Wilderness donated the 40-foot spruce.
“Not only do we get to light up this tree tonight and kick off the spirit of Christmas, but this is something – through your donations and support of hospice in this community – that has a lasting impact throughout the year,” Ricke said.
After thanking all of the organizers and volunteers at Friday’s event, Ricke said, “With that, let’s fire up the Christmas spirit with our first carols of the night.”
Carolers from Classic Chorale and Calvary Lutheran Church led a Christmas sing-along, directed by Deane Johnson.
CHI St. Joseph’s Hospice director Jessica Jensen said, "What a great night for such a gathering, for such a wonderful event. For almost four decades, St. Joseph’s Hospice has been lighting a tree where each bulb burns in honor, in memory and in thanks of our loved ones that are no longer with us.”
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Over the past year, Jensen said the hospice program provided care for more than 170 families in the area. She introduced Amy Pillsbury, whose husband and father received end-of-life care. Grant Nunn passed away from idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis in October 2020, and Robert Pillsbury died of colon cancer in April this year.
Amy thanked friends, church families and hospice for their help during the illnesses. “Both of them had a long haul, and we feel very blessed and thankful to have all of your support,” she said.
Following a countdown, Amy and Santa Claus pulled the switch to light up the tree.
The community is invited to place an unbreakable ornament on a Christmas tree, located in Pioneer Park, in honor of a loved one.
Children may put their letters to Santa Claus in a special mailbox at Pioneer Park as well.
