Sauk Rapids Jingle and Mingle Celebrating Five Years This Saturday

(KNSI) – The Sauk Rapids VFW is quickly becoming one of the busiest spots in the city during Jingle and Mingle.

This Saturday, there will be classes on how to put together the best charcuterie board from 12:30-2:00 p.m. and on decorating Snoopy cookies with the classic Peanuts characters running from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. Both classes come with a cost, but space is available. Learn the dos and don’ts just in time for hosting a Christmas Party.

Jingle and Mingle Co-Director Marla Elness says that is just the start of the festivities. “Right after those classes are done, another item that came in this year is the Special Olympics volunteers are coming to sell some of their wreaths.”

The VFW is hosting one of two very merry meat raffles. It will benefit the Sauk Rapids-Rice High School softball teams. The raffle at Danny’s Dugout helps out the boys’ hockey program.

The Sauk Rapids Jingle and Mingle is turning five years old, and to celebrate, it is giving back to the community by kickstarting a fundraising campaign. Elness says collectibles will be sold for $10 with all proceeds going to the purchase of a 30-foot LED light tree.

“We have three-inch silver sleigh bells, and we are selling those so people who want to donate at least a minimum of $10 for it, but any amount after that, for helping to get that tree.”

The light tree would stand tall in front of The Clearing near downtown. The silver bell fundraiser joins dozens of returning favorites like the lighted parade through downtown in the evening. Jingle and Mingle will host an artisan market at Riverside Terrace from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., featuring vendors selling winter and holiday favorites. Visitors will also have a chance to pet llamas and take a horse-drawn wagon ride from the terrace.

The business market includes a booth to get pictures with Santa. That will be set up at the Sauk Rapids Government Center.

Living Waters Lutheran Church will be acting out a Living Nativity display at the Coborn’s parking lot, and several nearby businesses will have specials tied to Jingle and Mingle. The fire department is collecting donations for Toys for Tots, they’ll even pick up along the parade route. Between 1:00 and 4:00 p.m., the Benton County Historical Museum on Second Avenue South will have an exhibit running.

Elness and plenty of others will kick up their feet at the end of the day at Sauk Rapids-Rice High School for a Christmas concert put on by the area music collective. The performance is free, but a goodwill food donation is encouraged. The concert will include a choir, brass quintet, Victorian carolers, hand bells, and solo vocals as they run through holiday classics. It begins at 6:30.

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