Emden kicks off holiday season with traditional Community Christmas

[December 12, 2019]     Saturday, December 7, the Emden American Legion Auxiliary, along with the Legion and Sons of the American Legion, kicked off the holiday season with the second annual Community Christmas.

Last year was the return of what had been a holiday tradition in years past and some who remembered the event from their childhood helped bring it back.

The evening’s festivities began with children gathered around the Christmas tree singing several Christmas songs as they anxiously awaited the arrival of Santa Claus.



Santa soon arrived in a town fire truck since his sleigh is being prepared for all those deliveries.

After Santa officially lit the Christmas tree in the center of the Lincoln street, everyone was invited to go down the street to the Emden Community House for games, crafts, food and a Christmas movie.

The Christmas themed games included tossing a ring around Rudolph’s antlers, throwing a “snowball” through the snowman’s nose, fishing for candy canes and pulling a surprise from one of the cups arranged in the shape of a Christmas tree.

Holiday crafts included making a jingle bell wreath, doing fingerprint Christmas lifts, stamping cards, coloring a gingerbread man and creating reindeer ornaments.



At another table, children could write letters to Santa or make their Christmas wish list.

For those who worked up an appetite, there was popcorn, hotdogs, chili, hot chocolate and cookies.



The children also had a chance to sit on Santa’s lap and tell them what they wanted for Christmas.

Ryder, Brantley and Coltyn Conrady were excited to see Santa and tell him what they wanted for Christmas.

Young Weston Klokkenga told Santa he wanted a big tractor, a combine, a monster truck, a bouncy house and toy spider.



Seven-year olds J.J. and Emma said they have been good this year and were excited to see Santa. Emma said she is making her list to give to Santa.

Hannah Fitzpatrick, one of the event organizers who remembers Community Christmas events from her childhood, said they decided to do the same games this year, but different crafts. They plan to switch up the games every few years.

Volunteers helped to prepare the food and bake the cookies. Fitzpatrick said it was very nice to have that help. She said it was also nice to have Logan County Fair Queen Skye Kretzinger stop by on her way to another Christmas event.

Sarah Struebing, another event organizer said she thought the night was a success. While there were 127 people come last year, and she said it looked like even more came out for the festivities this year.



The evening’s activities ended with a viewing of “A Charlie Brown Christmas,” another Christmas tradition.

The renewed tradition was a special way to kick off the holiday season in Emden.

[Angela Reiners]