Jingle and Mingle Shakes Up Sauk Rapids

(KNSI) – Santa’s got a brand new bag!

The Sauk Rapids Winter Festival is changing its name to the Downtown Jingle and Mingle. It’s anchored by the lighted parade, which will travel on 2nd Avenue beginning at 5:00 p.m. on Saturday. Organizer Marla Elness says supporting local retailers is at the heart of what the event is trying to accomplish.

“We’re trying to create the application of full circle of ideas, where our businesses have really been the backbone to helping a lot of our school sports and organizations there. So when it comes to bringing business back to those businesses, it’s sort of the full circle.”

Elness says other activities have been added to ensure it’s filled to the brim with Christmas.

“We wanted to add to the festivity some of the traditions of Christmas and the holidays. So we’ve got singing groups, church choirs, and theatre companies that are coming and doing our caroling. In addition, we’ll have a living nativity. They’ve got live animals. They’ve got camels there.”

Elness says come during the day to the artisan market at Riverside Terrace Event Center at 9:00 a.m., with horse-drawn carriage rides and Llama Wonder-Rama for the kids. All week special deals have been available to downtown shoppers and diners. That will continue for the next couple of days.

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