Sara Stadem | Editor
The Hartford Hometown Christmas (HHC) is back this year with more normalcy for their 10-year anniversary celebration, according to committee co-chair leader Lisa Hellvig.
Hellvig said, “Last year was a very much scaled down version and it worked but we are excited to get it back to normal this year. Last year was altogether different because of COVID so we are probably back to the more normal Hometown Christmas.” She continued, “Last year with the changes, we added a lot of characters such as Frosty, Olaf, the Grinch and others and all of those will be returning this year. We are excepting them to return annually for our event.”
According to Hellvig, some of the changes that took place last year will carry over into this year such as the breakfast that is sponsored by the Chamber. Hellvig explained the Chamber sponsored breakfast kicks off the event at the Hartford Fire Station from 7:30 am to 10:30 am with a free-will donation. Last year’s breakfast was a drive through only option with this year having the option of dine-in or drive through.
“There are a lot of people that believe this is a Chamber event but it’s not, they just kick start it with the breakfast. We have a lot of us on the HHC committee that are chamber members but this is its own entity.”
This year’s HHC committee has eight members along with two co-chair leaders, Hellvig and Sherri Goebel. Hellvig explained the HHC committee works hard to keep costs for this event very minimal in order for more community members to be able to enjoy the festivities. The HHC committee teams up with local organizations and groups to help run the HHC and those groups get to keep any proceeds for the function they run at HHC to help raise money for said group.
Hellvig also explained there are several activities that are free of charge for community members to enjoy. Children can visit Santa Claus for no cost along with other activities such as the Ginger Bread House contest, parade of lights and horse drawn wagon rides.
There have been some exciting additions added for this year’s HHC, explained Hellvig. There will be balloon twisting that will take place at 120 Events Downtown, cookie decorating at Buffalo Ridge Brewing and the horse drawn wagon rides are back after being absent for two years. “The horse drawn wagon rides are not on the flier as it wasn’t confirmed until a few days ago,” Hellvig said. She continued, “This is weather permitting but that’s something exciting that the wagon rides will be back. They couldn’t be here the past two years so it’s exciting to have them back.”
According to Hellvig, the horse drawn wagon rides will be going from the downtown area to the high school and circle back around. The Hartford Transit Bus will also be working that day, offering rides to community members so they can park and get a ride to their destination.
This year’s HHC hope is to increase the participants in the Gingerbread House contest and the Parade of Lights. There are no registration fees or deadlines for the events. The HHC will be taking gingerbread houses until 12:45 pm with judging starting at 1 pm. As for the Parade of Lights, registration is at 4 pm with the parade starting at 5 pm.
“We really want to have a great Gingerbread House contest and parade this year with this being our 10-year anniversary,” Hellvig said. “Some people think you have to have a business or organization to have a float in the parade but that’s not the case. If you have a family that wants to enter or a fun neighborhood that you are a part of wants to create a float for the parade, we encourage you to do so. There is no entry fee for it; just come out and enjoy!”
The HHC committee was also tasked with the Community Lighting Contest this year which runs through December 10. Hellvig explained this contest was started a few years ago and they are hoping to increase their participation this season. The event registration form can be located at https://www.hartfordsdchamber.org/htc and would need to be completed by December 10 with the judging taking place on December 14. “Sometimes the committee picks a house that isn’t registered but if you want to be sure to have yours entered for judging, you need to register,” said Hellvig.
There are three categories for the Community Lighting Contest which are Clark Griswold, Spirit of Christmas and Judges Choice with winners from each category receiving $50 Hartford Bucks.
When asked what her favorite part of HHC is, Hellvig said, “My favorite is that it’s there and taking place, knowing all of the planning and preparation worked out and people are getting to enjoy it.” She continued, “I also absolutely love getting to look at the gingerbread houses and the trees that the businesses decorate. I really enjoy the Parade of Lights as people just put so much effort and creativity into those things and it’s fun to see between the houses and the floats.”
Hellvig reminds community members to stick around for the finale. “Our amazing fireworks show is returning this year for the finale of the event so don’t miss out on that!”
For more information on the HHC, visit their Facebook page Hartford’s Hometown Christmas, Hartford, SD.
Tune in next week for information on the upcoming Crooks Parade of Lights that will take place on Sunday, December 12.