Meghan Hovde and the May- Port Community Club are excited about the third annual WinterFest celebration.
“I like the festive vibe we get going,” Hovde said.
The event covers five dates this year: Dec. 3 and 6 through 9. New to WinterFest is a Tour of Homes, five of them in Mayville and Portland, from 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 3. It’s a fundraiser for MPCC.
“A lot of other towns around us do this to get into the holiday spirit,” Hovde said. “You have to have a ticket to visit the homes.”
Hovde said tickets may be purchased from MPCC members, including a couple who work at the Goose River Bank. There’s no entry fee or form necessary for the Christmas light judging on Wednesday, Dec. 6. Hovde said to simply have those holiday lights turned on from 7 to 9 p.m. The winning homes will be selected by a WinterFest subcommittee.
“We’ve expanded the Christmas lights contest to eight categories instead of three,” Hovde told the Tribune. “The winners in each category will receive a MayPort Bucks prize to be spent locally.”
This season’s Rustic Elegance painting party from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 8 is moving inside the Mayville Armory from the classroom to the gym “so that more people can participate,” Hovde said. “Last year we had 28 and we already have 28 signed up for this year (as of Nov. 13).”
Friday is for families…
WinterFest weekend gets busy Friday, Dec. 8. New this year will be Community Bingo from 2 to 3 p.m. at Luther Memorial Home. The VFW and American Legion will assist and there will be coffee and cookies.
The Shop Hop begins at 4 p.m. and runs until 7 p.m., primarily along Main Street in Mayville. As of Nov. 13, confirmed participants include Aasen Drug, Cenex C Store in Mayville, Delchar Theater, Hometown Inn, Jacobson Studio, Lone Tree Shooting Supply, Mae’s Vintage Decor, MC Decorating, Miller’s Fresh Foods, Molly’s in Portland, Paula’s, Shear Impressions, Wild Side Salon, Uptown Styling and West Edge Salon.
Also in that three-hour time frame, there will be:
- Lefse making at Hardware Hank
- The children’s story “How The Grinch Stole Christmas” read at the Mayville Public Library
- A free photo booth at Jacobson Studio, sponsored by the MPCC
- A chili feed, starting at 5 p.m., at the Masons Lodge
- An appearance by Santa Claus next door at West Traill Ambulance. Bring your camera. May-Port CG FBLA volunteers will apply temporary tattoos on the kids
- Hayrides will begin loading at 5 p.m. in the city parking lot across from the library
- Parade entrants are requested to line up at 6:30 p.m. north of Goose River Bank
- Norwegian dancers will be stepping at 6:45 p.m. at Traill County’s only traffic signal at Main Street and Center Avenue.
- The WinterFest Parade will proceed at 7 p.m. down Main Street from the Goose River Bank to the Goose River Heritage Museum, where the Christmas tree will be lit for a round of Christmas carols. Then the names for raffle prizes will be drawn. You must be present to win.
Saturday, for grown-ups, mostly
Pending morning conditions, the Mayville State University Running Club will host the Frosty 4K Run/ Walk at 8:30 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 9, beginning and ending at May-Port CG High School.
Entry forms may be found at http://climbthepodium.com/Frosty4K17.pdf. You may also call or text questions to Rick Karboviak at 701-361-3101.
Hovde said, “We have more than 30 vendors signed up with a little bit of everything for the WinterFest Bazaar,” which runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. inside the Armory.
Bridging Health and Home will have an open house from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. inside West Traill Ambulance.
The Delchar Theater will present a free family holiday movie at 2 p.m., while the Sons of Norway will serve free krumkake and rommegrot at the lodge.
WinterFest weekend concludes from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. inside the Armory with an “Ugly Sweater Party” and dance, featuring October Road. Doors open at 8:30 p.m. There will be an entry fee and you must be 21 years old to enter. All proceeds go to the MPCC.
Up-to-date information is being posted at www.mayvilleportland.com/winterfest/. The hope, of course, is that the late-fall weather isn’t too frosty. The Shop Hop last year offered many places for people to step in and warm up.
“We were so disappointed to cancel stuff last year,” Hovde said. “This year, we’re going to just go for it.”
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