By Tucker Henderson

Reporter

With winter on its way, the Christmas Tree Festival will kick off in New York Mills on Saturday, Nov. 30 and end with a finale on Friday, Dec. 6. The public is invited to attend as many events as they can squeeze in during the weeklong festivities.

The schedule for this year’s Christmas Tree Festival begins with a Chili & Chowder Feed on Saturday, Nov. 30 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. along with the TOPS Bake Sale at the Senior Center. From 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Family Day will take place with tree viewing, photos with Santa, children’s crafts, and cookie decorating.

Monday, Dec. 2 will give everyone an early opportunity to view all of the creative tree displays from local businesses and organizations from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 3 will kick off at 1 p.m. with Senior Day which hosts musical entertainment and activities with the NY Mills elementary students. From 3-7 p.m. horse drawn sleigh rides will be available outside the city hall as well as Bingo for Books in the city hall ballroom from 5-6 p.m.

On Wednesday, Dec. 4 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. tree viewing will be open and from 6-8 p.m. the Cultural Center will be hosting their Puzzle Party FUN-draiser. 

Another fun day of tree viewing from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. and the Pines Market Sip & Paint will take place from 5:30-7:30 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 6 will also be open for tree viewing from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.

The Festival hosts its finale on Saturday, Dec. 7 with the Lions Community Christmas Party and Wacky Tacky Sweater Soiree starting at 6 p.m. with a 7 p.m. dinner and dance featuring “Pandemic Rocks.” Tickets for the event can be found at Lakes Community Cooperative, the Cultural Center, Farmers & Merchants State Bank, Mills Liquors, and the NY Mills City Offices. Raffle tickets will also be sold for the Heinola Hustlers 4-H Quilt Raffle.

This year’s theme is “Jingle Bell Junction” and will highlight a holiday train thematic Christmas and all proceeds will go to the NY Mills Santa Anonymous organization to help provide meals and presents to those in need and poinsettias to those who have lost family members during the past year.

“My favorite part is Senior Day,” said Julie Roberts, an organizer of the event. “When the kids and the seniors get an activity together, it seems to be very much enjoyed by both parties. The kindergarteners are going to come and sing again this year too. The teachers go through and try to explain what the whole concept is and the little kids get pretty lit up about the whole thing and the get very emotional about how there are kids that, without raising money for this, might not get Christmas presents. So kudos to those teachers who explain it all, they’re great.”

Roberts said that the festivities are sponsored by a large variety of local businesses and organizations that help cover the cost of all of the free festivities. Other than the Cultural Center’s fundraiser, the Sip & Paint, and the Lions Party, all of the activities are free throughout the weeklong festival thanks to community sponsors.

“I hope they get the idea of giving and the whole purpose that it’s for raising money for those who are in need through Santa Anonymous,” said Roberts. “Also, it’s a nice, family-friendly event for people to attend. I think it’s an event that pulls out community spirit in our small town.”

Volunteers are still being sought to one or multiple one-hour time slots during the week and those interested can sign up on the NY Mills Civic & Commerce Facebook page or they can call the NY Mills City Office at (218) 385-2213 to secure their slot.

“My favorite part is providing a community event for all ages that’s for a good purpose and cause,” said Roberts. “Because I do feel good at the end when we know that all this money has gone to something good. A big thank you to all the people who make it happen!”