Pioneer Village Christmas opens Dec. 9 for two weekends

t will be a Pioneer Village Christmas Winter Wonderland for two weekends at the Plymouth County Fairgrounds starting this Saturday, Dec. 9.

The village will be open from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 9 and 10 and again on Dec. 16 and 17. There is no admission charge to attend and all activities are free. Donation boxes will be out around the grounds.

"We depend on those donations to fund the activities, refreshments and provide decorations for the event each year," said Bonita Davison, who is chairing this year's committee and faithful group of volunteers.

Thousands of Christmas lights will sparkle on the village buildings and inside Century Hall on more than 50 decorated trees.

To avoid traffic congestion and provide more parking, visitors to the Pioneer Village Christmas will use the south fairgrounds entrance on Fourth Avenue Northeast.

"We're using the south gate to provide better access for everyone," said Davison.

The main gate (with the arch entrance) will be used for those needing handicap access and for the elderly, she explained.

On Saturday, Dec. 9, the north gate will be used for floats from the Earl Utesch Memorial Lighted Children's Christmas Parade to enter the fairgrounds and line up for display. Workers and those on the Century Hall stage entertainment lineup may also use the entrance.

"We hope this will give everyone easier access to village activities," Davison said.

New this year will be the story time at the Log Cabin at the west end of Pioneer Village. Readers will be telling Christmas stories in the heated cabin from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. each evening.

The live nativity will be held each evening. On Saturday, Dec. 9, performances will be at 7 and 7:30 p.m. due to the parade. The other three evenings performances will be at 6:30 and 7 p.m.

Santa Claus will make his headquarters in the Sportsman's Club, where he will visit with children and hand out treats. Refreshments will also be available there.

Curt Strathman of The Lasting Image will be on hand to take professional photographs of children with Santa for parents who wish to order pictures.

The Rotary Club, Lions Club, Kiwanis Club and American Legion will be on hand serving popcorn, popcorn balls, cookies, hot chocolate, hot cider, chocolate milk and coffee in Century Hall.

The firemen and Powder Players Snowmobile Club members will be in the village near the Sportsman's Club, roasting marshmallows and providing a spot to warm up by the fire.

Sandwiches will be served from the Luxembourg building in the village this year. The Pork Producers will serve ham sandwiches Saturday, Dec. 9, with hot dogs served Dec. 10, 16 and 17 by the Venture Club, and St. Mary's Church of Remsen.

A village favorite, the horse-drawn wagon rides, will be provided by Dr. John and Barbara Conley, Rex Krebs and Dean and Bonita Davison.

There's a full schedule of entertainment set for the stage in Century Hall.

Coordinating the Century Hall entertainment this year are Bill and Janice Renken, with Terry Durr providing the sound system. The entertainment lineup for the first weekend is:

Saturday, Dec. 9
6 p.m. - Remnants (Shirley Jacobson, Marlyn Albright, Terry Durr and Madison Nicks)
7 p.m. - Inez Hoogeveen Piano students

Sunday, Dec. 10
5:30 p.m. - Jan Klein violin students
6 p.m - Kiwanis Aktion Club
6:30 p.m. - Stanton Lucky Clovers 4-H Club (leaders Steve and Lynn Breuer and John and Debra Ahlers)
7 p.m. Le Mars Community Middle School Choir, director Nancy Ewing; Le Mars Community Middle School Band, Mary Kay Benton director.
7:45 p.m. St. Joseph Youth Choir, Sherri Moritz, Megan, Moritz, Mary Ann Ruden