Red Wing Minnesota Holiday Stroll

by John
(Red Wing, MN)

Activities
7 a.m. - Elk's Holiday Stroll Pancake Breakfast

Tickets available at Elk's prior to or that morning.

Begin your day with a great tasting breakfast at the Elk's Club. Everyone is welcome and tickets can be purchased in advance or at the door. Bring your family and friends for a tasty breakfast and start your Holiday Stroll day off right!

4:30 p.m. - Chili Tasting in Mural parking lot

There will be an Emcee talking to the crowd and music.

The chili tasting is one of the Holiday Stroll's best-tasting and popular events. It is free to the public but a goodwill offering is appreciated. Gallons of hot, spicy chili are given to the people who come to the Holiday Stroll to help warm them up and runs until the chili runs out.

Located at the intersection of 3rd and Plum Street (Map) in the Red Wing Mural parking lot, the delicious chili is served beginning late in the afternoon until it is all gone.

6 p.m. - Holiday Stroll Lighted Parade

The route goes down Bush Street and takes a left at Third Street.

The Holiday Stroll parade begins at 6 p.m. and there will be many different kinds of floats that will be lit up for the evening. It will be a dazzling night of family fun where you can see all kinds of floats and holiday characters.

6:45 p.m. - Downtown Lighting Ceremony in the Mural parking lot

This is one of the big highlights of the Holiday Stroll. A ceremony will take place at the intersection of 3rd and Plum (Map) in the Red Wing Mural parking lot, after the parade has finished. Santa will be there and this is when the switch is thrown and all of the holiday lights in downtown Red Wing will be turned on.

The Lighting Ceremony will conclude with a spectacular fireworks display shot off from the Bluff overlooking the city of Red Wing. Keep- A truly dazzling sight to see!

This year there will be tables available so people can sit and listen to the emcee and music on the main stage area that day. Plus there will be more burning barrels around to warm up around in the evening

7 p.m. - Fireworks off the bluff overlooking Red Wing.

Other Activities

Chestnut Roast
In the traditional Christmas of the past, the roasted chestnuts are a good-tasting treat to share while shopping around town.

Santa
Santa arrives in grand style to Red Wing as he rides on the Red Wing fire truck in the parade. He will welcome all visitors to Red Wing during the lighting ceremony.

After the parade he will be at the intersection of 3rd and Plum (Map) in the Red Wing Mural parking lot. People will have the chance to visit with him and there will be treats from Santa for the kids.

Refreshments & Treats
Many of Red Wing's retailers will have special holiday treats and beverages for the shoppers to enjoy while they are downtown.

Holiday Stroll Ornament
In 2005, the first collectible Holiday Stroll Ornaments were available. These hand-painted ornaments were very popular and we will again offer these unique items that make great gifts. You can find the official 2009 Holiday Stroll ornament that day at Bella Casa, 419 Main Street (Map).

Cinnamon Roasted Almonds
Another crunchy, tasty treat that is fun to munch on as you shop.

Wagon Rides
A fun family activity is to go on the free wagon ride. The decorated wagon is pulled by a team of horses and will give you a tour of downtown Red Wing. Wagon rides start at the Red Wing Public Library located at the corner of East Avenue and West 3rd Street (Map).

Carolers
There will be several groups strolling around downtown Red Wing singing for the visitors. You will hear all your favorite Christmas tunes and the carolers add to the hometown charm of the event.

NEW! St. Brigid's Festival of Trees
New this year is the first annual St. Brigid's Festival of Trees! Located on the 5th Floor Summit of the St. James Hotel, the public is invited to view the beautifully decorated trees at 3 p.m. and vote on the "People's Choice" award. At 7 p.m. there will be a social hour, silent auction and then live auction of the decorated trees.

Window of Gifts
Everyone will have a chance to register at multiple locations for the incredible Window of Gifts located at the Christian Bookstore, 206 Bush St. (Map) the day of the Holiday Stroll. The windows will be filled will an array of wonderful gifts donated by Red Wing retailers.

Elk's Club Family Entertainment
As you wrap up a full day of shopping and fun, everyone is invited back to the Elk's Club for a burger basket special and more family entertainment that evening.

Red Wing Trolley
The Red Wing Trolley Company will join the Holiday Stroll this year. This fully restored trolley will transport you back in time to another era where life had a much slower pace. See and experience what it was like to tour beautiful Red Wing in a Victorian trolley, weather permitting.


For further information, dial 651/385-5934 or check out www.redwingholidaystroll.com



Red Wing Minnesota Hotels




Minnesota Travel Guidebooks