Community Corner
Holiday Happenings In, Around Maple Grove
From Thanksgiving to Hanukkah, Christmas and Kwanzaa and following with New Year, a look at the 2012 holiday events happening in and around Maple Grove.
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Winter and Snow Stories
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When: 10:30 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 27
Where: Maple Grove Library
Find out what's happening in Maple Grovewith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Cost: Free
Who: Families
Why go: Share favorite children’s winter and snow stories.
Winter and Snow Stories
When: 11-11:30 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 27
Where: Edina Library
Who: Families
Why go: Share favorite children’s winter and snow stories.
New Year's Eve Party at the Maple Grove Community Center
When: 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Dec. 31, 2012
Where: Maple Grove Community Center
Who: Families
Cost: The cost is $9 per person. Tickets ordered online by Dec. 20 will be mailed. Tickets purchased Dec. 21 to Dec. 31 will be available at the will call window (arena enterance). Tickets can also be purchased at the Community Center until 4 p.m. Dec. 31. Tickets are non-refundable.
Why go: The family-friendly evening includes dancing, games, crafts, an inflatable bouncer, slides, obstacle course, ice skating, swimming and more – including a countdown to 2013 and balloon drop at 9:45 p.m.
Completed 2012 Events
The Woods Gifts Holiday 'Walk in the Woods'
When: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 17. Tickets to see Santa handed out starting at 9:30 a.m.
Where: The Woods Gifts, Maple Grove
Cost: Free
Why go: The annual Christmas event features Santa Claus, food tasting and demos, drawings, Christmas book storytelling, and live reindeer
Holiday Shopping Extravaganza
When: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 17
Where: Maple Grove Community Center, Maple Grove
Cost: Vendors selling holiday goods
Why go: Early shopping with some giveaways
Schiffelly Puppets: No Nose for Rudolph
When: 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 24
Where:Excelsior Library
Cost: Free
Why go: For families. Preschool-grade 2. The famous reindeer has had his nose taken by Hank the Greedy Hog. Join Slurrpy the Snowman, Santa Claus and a host of other holiday characters as they try to get back Rudolph's nose. Part of the Excelsior "Christkindlsmarkt" celebration. Sponsored by Friends of the Excelsior Library.
Santa's Magical Workshop at the Fountains
When: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 24
Where: The Fountains of Arbor Lakes – Off of Hemlock Lane in Maple Grove
Cost: Free
Why go: Free reindeer sleigh rides, visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus, bring a new, unwrapped toy or non-perishable food item for C.R.O.S.S, get a free 5 x 7 photo with Santa from CL!X (or take one of your own), make a Fountains Beadzilla Bracelet and a holiday craft, get some hair tinsel, play some games.
Turkey Times Two
When: 1-4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 24
Where: Eastman Nature Center, Elm Creek Park Reserve, Maple Grove
Cost: Free
Why go: See turkey tails and feet, learn their calls, and why do they look so funny? Make a special turkey friend to take home. This program is free and open to all ages.
Holiday Decorating Seminar
When: 6:30 p.m. – 8 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 27
Where: Maple Grove Arts Center
Cost: Free, sign up online www.maplegroveartscenter.org or call 763-250-1016.
Why go: How to decorate yourself for the holidays, Etica Salon will demonstrate hair styles and more.
Holiday Decorating – Where to Start
When: 6:30 p.m. – 8 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 27
Where: Maple Grove Arts Center
Cost: $25, sign up online www.maplegroveartscenter.org or call 763-250-1016.
Why go: Meet Nancy Whitelaw with seven years of conducting décor seminars. She will teach you to make bows and more. Enjoy wine, refreshments and take home a new holiday decoration.
When: 1-3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 1
Where: Oliver H. Kelley Farm, 15788 Kelley Farm Rd., Elk River
Cost: $5, reservations required at 763-441-6896
Why go: Visit the Kelley Farm to make homemade toys to give as gifts for the holidays. In the visitor center, guests will choose between making several 19th-century toys, including a ball-and-cup game, buzz saws, pick-up sticks and corn husk dolls. All tools and materials will be provided.
Hometown Holiday on Main Street 2012
When:2-6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 1
Where: Main Street, Maple Grove
Cost: Free
Why go: There will be horse and carriage rides up and down Main Street Arbor Lakes for the afternoon. The queue for the carriage rides is in front of Maple Grove Eye Clinic at 7880 Main Street North.Throughout the course of the event, which ends at 6 p.m., visitors and guests can wander Main Street to meet Santa and Mrs. Claus, go to the Maple Grove Arts Center and have your photo taken in the photo booth as well as make a craft. Stop by the information desk for coupons and cookies. Check out the parade (below). Carriage rides will continue until 6 p.m.
Sleighbells & Sparkle Event, Parade on Main Street
When: 5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 1
Where: Main Street, Maple Grove
Cost: Free
Why go: At 4:50 pm, the street will darken between Schuler Shoes and Noodles all the way up to Dunn Bros Coffee and Claddagh Irish Pub for the Sleighbells & Sparkle Parade at 5 p.m. At the end of the parade, Santa will light the Community Tree at the corner of Main Street and Arbor Lakes Parkway.
Old Fashioned Christmas
When: 2-5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 2
Where: Plymouth Creek Park, 3625 Fernbrook Lane N., Plymouth
Cost: Free
Why go: Children visit with Santa, take a hayride, participate in holiday crafts, have roasted marshmallows and more.
When: Regular library hours, Dec. 1-31
Cost: Free
Why go: Learn about Hmong New Year traditions through art and crafts. Books in Hmong and about Hmong culture will be on display.
When: 7-8 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 4 and 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 5
Where: St. Louis Park Library
Cost: Free
Who: Families
Why go: Enjoy stories, songs and dances of Hanukkah, Christmas and Kwanzaa. Arrive early to play with dreidels. A craft activity will follow the program.
Third Annual Light the Grove at Maple Grove Hospital
When: 5-7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 6
Where: Maple Grove Hospital
Cost: Free
Why go: This is an outdoor community event celebrating the holiday season. Bring your family and friends to help "Light the Grove". Enjoy singing performances by the Maple Grove Hospital team and Maple Grove Hospital choir. Get into the holiday spirit and take a fun photo with Santa, meet his friendly reindeer and enjoy a horse-drawn trolley ride. Hot cocoa and delicious cookies will also be available. The traditional lighting ceremony will take place at 6 p.m.
Crafty Minnesota: Handcrafted Creatures
When: 7–9 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 6
Where: St. Louis Park Library
Cost: Free, registration required. Register online or call 612-543-6125.
Who go: For adults. Stitch a tiny stuffed animal that you can hang on your holiday tree, make into a keychain or give as a gift. Choose your favorite creature - birds, dogs or zombies - and bring it to life. Materials provided.
Holiday Hoopla
When: 10:30 a.m.-11 a.m. and 11:15 a.m.-11:45 a.m. Friday, Dec. 7
Where: Rogers Library 21300 John Milless Dr., Rogers
Cost: Free, registration required online or call 612-543-6050.
Who: Prekindergarten to first grade.
Why go: Celebrate the winter holidays with songs, stories, games and a visit from a special guest. Please bring a food item for the local food shelf.
Osseo’s 4rd Annual Minidazzle Parade and Christmas Tree Lighting
When: 6-8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 7
Where: 415 Central Ave, Osseo. Boerboom Veterans Park and Osseo Community Center
Cost: Free
Why go: Santa, family activities, bonfire, entertainment and more.
Winter Wonderland Weekend at The Shoppes at Arbor Lakes
When: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 8
Where: The Shoppes at Arbor Lakes, Maple Grove
Cost: Cost for breakfast, free for other activities (see below)
Why go: A weekend full of special offers, samples and entertainment. Breakfast with Santa at California Pizza Kitchen at 9 a.m. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children. For more information or to purchase tickets please call 763-424-0504 x0. Visit Santa's Reindeer in Arbor Park (central courtyard next to the fountain) on Saturday from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Carolers strolling the property.
When: 10:30-noon, or 12:30-2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 8
Where: Kroening Interpretive Center, in North Mississippi Regional Park, Brooklyn Center
Cost: Cost is $8 and reservations are required. Call 763-559-6700 to make a reservation and reference activity number #116901-19 for the morning session, or #116901-20 for the afternoon session. This program is for ages 4+.
Why go: Create a gingerbread house and landscape its yard using crackers, cookies, icing, and a variety of colorful candies. Refreshments and all materials are provided.
When: 10 a.m.-noon, or 1-3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 8 or 1-3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 9
Where: Eastman Nature Center, in Elm Creek Park Reserve, Dayton
Cost: Cost is $7 per child and $3 per adult. Call 763-559-6700 to make a reservation and reference activity number #112201-02 for the morning session, or #112201-03 for the afternoon session. This program is for ages 3+.
Why go: Decorate your own letter to Santa or draw a picture for Santa and Mrs. Claus. Design a holiday ornament for your family and create an edible ornament for the squirrels. Each “helper” will have individual time with Santa and take home some magic reindeer food. Bring a camera.
When: 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 8 and Sunday, Dec. 9
Where: Oliver H. Kelley Farm, 15788 Kelley Farm Rd., Elk River
Cost: $8 per person, free for children age 5 and under.
Reservations required: 763-441-6896
Join a guide for a 75-minute tour of the historic farmhouse, livestock pens and along the nature trail. Discover how farm families and their animals coped with shorter days, colder temperatures and the upcoming holidays 150 years ago. Take a horse or oxen-drawn bobsled or wagon ride. Dress for outdoor weather. Warm refreshments follow in the visitor’s center.
Free Family Funday: Candy Cane Walk
When: 1-3 p.m Sunday, Dec. 9
Where: Kroening Interpretive Center, in North Mississippi Regional Park, Brooklyn Center
Cost: Free
Why go: Stroll along the candy cane trail full of nature trivia and end with a sweet treat.
Natural Crafts Extravaganza at Eastman Nature Center
When: 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Friday, Dec. 14, and Saturday, Dec. 15
Where: Eastman Nature Center, in Elm Creek Park Reserve, Dayton
Cost: Cost is $12 and reservations are required by Dec. 11. Call 763-559-6700 to make a reservation and reference activity number #112225-02-09. This program is for ages 8+.
Why go: Unleash your creativity as you select natural materials to make unique holiday ornaments to keep or give as gifts.
Schiffelly Puppets: No Nose for Rudolph
When: Saturday, Dec. 15, 11 a.m.
Where: Golden Valley Library
Cost: Free
Why go: For families. The famous reindeer has had his nose taken by Hank the Greedy Hog. Join Slurrpy the Snowman, Santa Claus and a host of other holiday characters as they try to get back Rudolph's nose.
Sponsored by Friends of the Golden Valley Library.
When: 1-4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 15
Where: Silverwood Park, in St. Anthony
Cost: Cost is $9 per child the day of the event, but only $7 per child if you pre-register. Adult admission is $2. To pre-register call 763-559-6700 and reference activity number #127807-00. This program is for ages 0-10.
Why go: Search for the hidden candy canes. Find three and get a prize. Look for canes with golden ribbons for larger prizes. Hunts for children ages 0-4 will begin at 1:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. Hunts for children ages 5-10 will begin at 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. Enjoy a horse-drawn wagon ride, art projects, warm treats, crafts, winter games, musical performances and photos with Santa.
When: 1-3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 15
Where: Kroening Interpretive Center, in North Mississippi Regional Park, Brooklyn Center
Cost: Cost is $5 and reservations are required. Call 763-559-6700 to make a reservation and reference activity number #116901-21. This program is open to all ages.
Why go: Visit with Santa. Adults will make a special holiday votive while children work on their own holiday craft. Hot chocolate and cookies will be included and all activities are ongoing.
The Jingle Jig
When: 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 15
Where: Osseo Senior High, Osseo.
Cost: $10 for adults; $8 for kids under 18 and seniors over 65.
Why go: The Jingle Jig is presented by Rince Nua Irish Dance, Maple Grove's only all-Irish dance studio. More than sixty dancers will perform to a mix of traditional Irish songs and American holiday classics. Tickets are available at the door.
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