Pioneer Village Christmas opens Saturday

Pioneer Village Christmas opens this weekend, transforming the village and Century Hall into winter wonderland with a multitude of lights, entertainment and refreshments.

The village and Century Hall on the Plymouth County Fairgrounds will open at 5:30 p.m. and remain open until 8:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday evening, Dec. 6 and 7.

Saturday's entertainment begins at 6 p.m. with holiday music by Music for the Savior, with vocalist Movylene joined by Susan Mohning on keyboard and accordion and vocals. Also entertaining during the evening will be Jolynn Tonsfeldt with German songs and Shane McCarty providing comedy. The evening is also a tribute to the late Art Pahl, who was a regular on the Pioneer Village Christmas stage providing music on his accordion.

Sunday evening entertainment begins at 5:30 p.m. with Dr. Rev. Klaus Raab on violin and vocals, accompanied by Jeanette Jensen on piano.

At 6 p.m., the Bell Choir youth group from St. Joseph's Parish in Struble under the direction of Suzy Kessenich will entertain with Christmas music.

The Stanton Lucky Clovers 4-H Club will take the stage at 6:30 p.m. Leaders are Steve and Lynn Breuer and Drew and Donna Stevenson.

At 7 p.m., Sarah and Lindsey Oetken will sing, accompanied by Marlys Renken. The two will also play selections on the piano.

Next on the stage will be the Christ Lutheran Church choir from rural Le Mars, accompanied by Joyce Frerichs. The group will share anthems of the Christmas season.

Tim Pick will provide vocal selections beginning at 8 p.m., accompanied by Jeanette Jensen.

Children may visit Santa Claus in the Sportsman's Club in the village. The Snowman Parade returns to the Round Barn for a second year and the Train Depot will be open with trains running.

"The Toy Store in the village will be open, and there are lots of stuffed animals to give away to children," said Arlan Heeren, chairman of the volunteer group.

The marshmallow roast, sponsored by the Le Mars Fire Department and the Powder Players Snowmobile Club, will be in the village near the Sportsman's Club. Rides in horse-drawn wagons will be given for young and old, weather permitting.

Refreshments will be available in the Sportsman's Club, the Saloon run by the American Legion, and in Century Hall where service clubs will serve coffee, cookies, hot chocolate, cider and popcorn.

Anyone wishing to donate cookies for the event may bring them to the village each evening or contact Heeren at 533-6138.

"We have a good bunch of volunteers working on this," said Heeren.

There is no admission charge to attend Pioneer Village Christmas activities. Donation boxes are set up around the village for those attending to make contributions to continue funding for the holiday project.

Pioneer Village Christmas continues Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 13 and 14.