Tracker Pixel for Entry

​Christmas on the Prairie

Culture | December 4th, 2019

Christmas on the prairie - photograph provided by Jill Finkelson

By Jill Finkelson
jsfinkelson99@gmail.com

Who doesn’t want to take a horse-drawn wagon through the snow and sip on hot cocoa with the family? Bonus points for holiday sweaters and gingerly wrapping your mittens around steaming hot cocoa. In the interest of full disclosure, I’ve been watching a lot of holiday movies already and this holiday village just seems on point. If you’re looking for a little of that extra holiday magic this year, go west. Bonanzaville’s pioneer village will be dressed to the nines this weekend to kick off the holiday season.

They are opening up special for Christmas on the Prairie from 10 am to 5 pm this Saturday. It’s a family party so bring friends and the kids--and your friend’s kids, to the signature village for cookies, cocoa, elves, and Santa. Bonanzaville is the perfect backdrop to start off the holiday festivities. They bring the past to life during the regular season and this is not an exception. Do you remember when the air was full of carolers and one-horse open sleighs? Personally, I don’t so what better way to visit a more simple Christmas time? Fortunately, The Cass County Historical Society does remember and they have all the elements to show us, from model trains to wagon rides.

The party is both fun and educational. You can take in a blacksmith demonstration and make your own Christmas card at the letterpress. There will be lots of treats, new and old. You can get creative at a caramel apple bar or decorate cookies and watch them bake in a wood-fired oven. After admission, $12 for adults, $10 for seniors/college kids and $6 for kiddos, everything is included except for lunch and shopping. The Bonanza Belles will be open for lunch. The J2K craft and vendor show takes over Dawson hall. They’ll have over 70 booths to browse so you can find something unique for everyone on the list.

The craft fair will be full of local crafts and specialty items you can't find elsewhere. No Christmas excursion is complete without a trip to the North Pole. Call the elves and visit the big man, Santa Claus for a traditional photo op. There will also be an open fire for toasting s’ mores and, presumably, for warming up.

We may curse the snow as we dig cars out of what is just the beginning of winter here in Fargo so make sure to look up and enjoy the fact that we live in a snowy Christmas postcard. Christmas on the Prairie promises to bring that postcard to life. Winter is long but the holiday season is short so it’s good to get out and enjoy it while we can. Fortunately, there’s no shortage of parties, events, concerts and Santa viewings here in town. This one isn’t even at the mall, which is a plus. Thus, I encourage you to head west and visit the prairie to get your season started.

IF YOU GO:

Christmas on the Prairie

Saturday, December 7, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

Bonanzaville, 1351 Main Ave West, West Fargo

Recently in:

Press releaseThe Germans from Russia Heritage Collection (GRHC), NDSU Libraries, has partnered with Upland Exhibits of Newton, Kansas, to design, fabricate and install a permanent exhibit showcasing the history, culture and legacy…

By Michael M. Millermichael.miller@ndsu.edu The Northwest Blade, from Eureka, South Dakota, published a wonderful story in August 2020. It’s called “Granddaughter keeps Grandmother’s precious chamomile seeds,” by Cindy…

Sunday, October 19, 10 a.m.Buffalo River State Park, 565 155th St. S., Glyndon, MNHosted by the Red River Valley Chapter of Herbalists Without Borders at Buffalo River State Park for a fun fall day full of flora. (Say that three…

By John Strandjas@hpr1.com Yes, we know, everywhere you look, the world situation is mental. It’s almost inescapable just how tenuous life’s circumstances are. And how they are mostly — pretty much entirely — out of our…

By Ed Raymondfargogadly@gmail.com John Roberts: what will you do about the monster you’ve created?Like Dr. Frankenstein, you and your Trumplican cohorts in the operating room of the United States Supreme Court created a monster…

By Rick Gionrickgion@gmail.com Holiday wine shopping shouldn’t have to be complicated. But unfortunately it can cause unneeded anxiety due to an overabundance of choices. Don’t fret my friends, we once again have you covered…

By Rick Gion and Nichole Hensenrickgion@gmail.com The wait is finally over. Those who have visited Nichole’s Fine Pastry & Cafe lately know about the recent major additions and renovations that have taken place over the past…

By Sabrina Hornungsabrina@hpr1.com Dakotah Faye is a hip-hop artist from Minot, North Dakota, and he’s had a busy year. He’s released two albums. This summer he opened for Tech N9ne in Sturgis and will be opening for Bone…

By Greg Carlsongregcarlson1@gmail.com “One Battle After Another,” the brilliant new masterwork from Paul Thomas Anderson, joins Wes Anderson’s “The Phoenician Scheme” on the short list of the year’s best films. Along…

By HPR staffsubmit@hpr1.com Mark the first weekend of October on your calendar. It’s the weekend of the Studio Crawl, which takes us all on a wonderful, metro-wide tour of our talented (and often wacky) arts community. On October…

Alicia Underlee Nelsonalicia@hpr1.comPenn & Teller are returning to their roots. The legendary magic and comedy duo will appear on the Crown Stage at the Minnesota Renaissance Festival in Shakopee, Minnesota, where they first…

By Annie Prafckeannieprafcke@gmail.com AUSTIN, Texas – As a Chinese-American, connecting to my culture through food is essential, and no dish brings me back to my mother’s kitchen quite like hotdish. Yes, you heard me right –…

By Sabrina Hornungsabrina@hpr1.comNew Jamestown Brewery Serves up Local FlavorThere’s something delicious brewing out here on the prairie and it just so happens to be the newest brewery west of the Red River and east of the…

By Ellie Liveranieli.liverani.ra@gmail.com Loneliness is on the rise in North Dakota, where there is one of the highest rates of people living alone. The challenging winter can be a major contributor, yet North Dakota is not alone.…

By Alicia Underlee NelsonProtests against President Trump’s policies and the cuts made by Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) are planned across North Dakota and western Minnesota Friday, April 4 and…

By Vern Thompsonvern.thompson@rocketmail.comMoral accountability and the crisis of leadership  As a recovering person living one day at a time for the last 35 years, I have learned not to judge others because I have not walked in…