Page Title

Christmas in Downtown Victoria

Love, Sue

Victoria and much of Minnesota was in the middle of a very deep Deep Freeze on Saturday, December 7th, 2013, the day scheduled to celebrate Christmas in Downtown Victoria. It started at 3 p.m. when Santa arrived in a Victoria Fire Truck. By 5 p.m. the streets were pretty empty except for the reindeer and their keepers. There were also two or three hardy souls tending warming fires for visitors.

How cold was it? Low temperature of the day was 11 degrees below zero, not counting windchill which always makes it colder. See the sleigh in the background? The reindeer didn’t flinch in the cold weather, but they did spend a lot of time crouched down on a blanket so the wind didn’t whistle through their legs.

See the Victoria Fire Truck in the background. It delivered Santa to downtown Victoria. The reindeer came from Johmar Farms of St. Croix, courtesy of the Victoria Business Owners Association and the City of Victoria.

Santa spent a little time earlier that weekend at KleinBank in Victoria. He is pictured here with KleinBank Victoria employees (l-r): Becky Narem, Joseph Lieser, Lois Tiggelaar, Doris Schmieg, and Debbie Schmitt.

Restaurants and stores remained open in the Deep Freeze and 42 Christmas carolers from Chanhassen High School and Holy Family Catholic High School in Victoria brought Christmas spirit to everyone.

Barb Radde, left, and Cindy Worm, right, two of the Schmieg sisters, ate at the Victoria House that Saturday evening with Eddie Worm (son of Leon and Cindy) and Maddie Schmieg (daughter of Tom and Mary). Ray and Frannie Schmieg, the parents and grandparents, are pictured in the photo above them, next to a booth they used to frequent on a regular basis.

Santa Claus, who happens to be a close personal friend of Carver County Commissioner Randy Maluchnik, and Randy Miller, president of the VBA, are accustomed to arctic blasts.

Mayor Tom O’Connor and City Manager Don Uram braved the bitter cold at Christmas in Downtown Victoria, including being integral to the Tree Lighting Ceremony.

Tom Gray, Victoria Building Official, and Al Orsen, resident of Victoria, pose with the snow-covered city tree that was front and center of the Tree Lighting Ceremony.

Melanie Menth, who works at the Victoria House, served up hot food at Enki Brewing that evening.

Santa in all his regalia visited the Victoria House on Sunday, December 8th.

He told stories to the youngsters and those young in heart, including Barbarajo, manager of the V. House.

Until next year … Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night.