All Cuyuna Lakes residents are encouraged to celebrate the fellowship of the holiday season at A Cuyuna Christmas on Wednesday, Dec. 11, from 4 to 7 p.m. at Heartwood in Crosby as it comes alive with thousands of twinkling lights.

The magical evening will include both indoor and outdoor activities including horse-drawn sleigh rides, live reindeer, entertainment, friendly goats, caroling, craft projects and games for children, cookie decorating, storybook reading, face painting, ice skating and bonfires. Santa and Mrs. Claus will also be on hand to spread Christmas cheer, so bring cameras and have wish lists ready. Free yuletide snacks including hot soup, popcorn, hot chocolate and hot apple cider will be served.

Spreading joy and holiday spirit on the stage will be festive performances by the Crosby-Ironton Chamber Singers, Lifespring Church Bell Choir, Cuyuna Range Elementary School music students, Immanuel Lutheran Church Chapel Chimers and Hallelujah Bell Choir, Northern Lakes Lightning Boys High School Hockey and Just for Kix.

New this year will be a grand finale of an incredible fireworks display which will shimmer and sparkle the skies over Heartwood’s pond at 7 p.m. Also added to the enchanted evening will be a youth holiday spirit art contest and gingerbread house decorating contest, photo booth and reindeer ring toss and naughty and nice games with prizes.

Art contest details were distributed at Cuyuna Range Elementary School and in the Crosby-Ironton Courier. To participate in the gingerbread house decorating contest, drop off entries between December 9 and 11 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Heartwood. Attach a 3” x 5” index card with the creator’s name, telephone number and category on the underside of the base. The houses will be displayed at the event and the community can judge the competition. Prizes will be awarded in three categories:  youth (under age 18), adult (age 19-60) and senior (age 60 plus) categories.

Formerly named Christmas in the Park, the event was moved to a new location after numerous years of inclement weather. Attendees will experience holiday splendor as they walk through a festival of lights and enjoy many activities outdoors but they will also be able to warm up indoors.

Those attending are encouraged to dress warm and bring their own ice skates. Ample parking will be available in Cuyuna Regional Medical Center’s employee parking lot across Highway 210 from the hospital’s main entrance. A free shuttle service will be provided to the event’s entrance on the back side of Heartwood.

This free community event is sponsored by CRMC with the support of Bay Lake Lions, Cuyuna Fire Relief Association, Crosby-Ironton Courier, CTC, Heartwood, Mid-Minnesota Federal Credit Union, Range Disposal, Marian Segersten, Super One, Presbyterian Homes and numerous volunteers.

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