Cuyuna Christmas Dec. 4 in Crosby Memorial Park

Celebrate the sights and sounds of the holiday season at Cuyuna Christmas, a myriad of events the first weekend of December throughout the Cuyuna Lakes Area, and support Smiles for Jake, a local suicide prevention movement that spreads positivity through the message that everyone should have hope. The free and fun events featuring a Nashville duo’s performance, spectacular fireworks, candlelight snowshoeing, games, crafts, food, shopping and of course, Santa and Mrs. Claus, is open to all families and individuals in the area. Most of the events will take place on Saturday, Dec. 4, at Snow Many Smiles in Crosby’s Memorial Park on Serpent Lake which will come alive with thousands of twinkling lights. Tigirlily, an up-and-coming country band from Nashville, will present an outdoor performance at 4 p.m. Comprised of sisters Krista and Kendra Slaubaugh, Tigirlily’s single “Somebody Does” recently rocketed to number one on both the iTunes Country Songs Chart and the iTunes All Genres Songs Chart. The magical event from 2 to 6:30 p.m. will also include sleigh rides, a petting zoo, entertainment, caroling, youth craft projects and games, letters to Santa, cookie decorating, storybook reading, a snowman making contest, elf juggling, a snow globe, stilts, face painting, and bonfires. Santa and Mrs. Claus will also be on hand to spread Christmas cheer, so bring cameras and have wish lists ready. Free yuletide snacks including soup, hot chocolate, and popcorn will be served. The grand finale of an incredible fireworks display will shimmer and sparkle the skies over Serpent Lake at 6 p.m. Also, part of the enchanted event is a youth holiday spirit art contest and Mrs. Claus Christmas Cookie Bake-off, free family photos, find a medallion contest and the Tree of Love ceremony. Those attending are encouraged to dress warm. Ample parking will be available in Cuyuna Regional Medical Center’s employee parking lot in Crosby across Highway 210 from the hospital’s main entrance. A free shuttle service will be provided to the park event. Earlier on Saturday, Lunch with Santa will take place at the Deerwood Auditorium from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The Garrison Bay Lake Area Lions is sponsoring the event for children 12 years and younger and special needs youth. Each child will receive lunch donated by The Deerstand, visit Santa and receive a treat bag and $10 gift appropriate to their age, enjoy entertainment, and go home with a bag full of all the ingredients for a holiday ham dinner. The weekend’s other events will begin with Girls Night Out. Participants will have three days to shop at various businesses where they will receive stamps. Completed entry forms need to be delivered to the Ironton American Legion by 8:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 2, when one name will be drawn for a prize of $500 in Cuyuna Cash. Several door prizes including large baskets, T-shirts, sweatshirts, metal art, gift certificates and more will be also be awarded. A designer handbag raffle is also planned that evening as well as burger specials. There will also be a Bonanza at the Deerwood Auditorium from 1 to 6 p.m. offering a wide variety of crafters and home-based businesses with unique Christmas gifts. Fun will continue in the area’s beautiful outdoors on Friday, Dec. 3, with a candlelight snowshoe and hiking event along the Cuyuna State Recreation Area State Trails. Those participating can park their vehicle at Crosby’s Hallett Community Center and enter the area near the Croft Mine Historical Park. Later Friday, a Jingle Bell Jam with live music and a holiday attire contest will take place at the Deerwood American Legion. There is no cover charge and drink specials will be offered. The Legion will also hold a Reindeer Rump Mega Meat Raffle that evening beginning at 6:30 p.m. Art contest details will be distributed in the Crosby-Ironton Courier on Wednesday, Nov. 24 and in the Brainerd Dispatch on Sunday, Nov. 28. To participate in the cookie bake-off, drop off entries to Mixed Company - A Kava House in Crosby by Nov. 30 where they will remain on display and be judged. Cookies must be edible, homemade (not kits), and a recipe should be provided. Attach a three inch by five inch index card with the creator’s name, telephone number and category on the underside of the base. Cookies will be displayed at Snow Many Smiles and the community can judge the competition. Prizes will be awarded in the categories of:  youth (under age 18), home baker, professional, and multi-generational. As part of the event, an all-cash raffle will also be held to benefit Smiles for Jake with all proceeds going toward suicide prevention efforts. Event commemorative cups are also being sold for $10 each at the Ironton and Deerwood American Legions. For $2 per ticket, individuals will have the chance to win $1,000; $750, $500, and $250; or $100 cash or one of four $50 Ironton American Legion gift certificates. Winners will be drawn at 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 4, at the Ironton Legion. Need not be present to win, (Ironton Legion Charitable Gambling Premises #00148-002.) This free community event is sponsored by CRMC and Smiles for Jake with the support of Bay Lake Lions, Cuyuna Fire Relief Association, Crosby-Ironton Courier, CTC, Dairy Queen, Deerwood Bank, Mid-Minnesota Federal Credit Union, Mixed Company - A Kava House, Nelson, Inc., Range Disposal, Spalding, Super One, and numerous volunteers.