The Dell Rapids Chamber of Commerce held their annual “Christmas at the Dells” celebration Friday, December 3rd through Sunday, December 5th.  The celebration had a some familiar events such as the sleigh/hay rides, free movie sponsored by Schwebach Realty, soup supper at the American Legion, parade of lights, and pictures with Santa.  But there were some new events added to this year’s celebration.

Prior to the parade of lights, the Dell Rapids Espresso Choir sang Christmas carols during a tree lighting ceremony on Saturday.  After the parade, the Hegg Brothers performed at the Grand Opera House. 

Other events during the weekend included craft and kids activities at the library, art scratch ornaments at Corduroy and Pixie Dust, bowling tournaments at Pinz, Festival of Christmas Raffle at the Dells Museum, and “Celebration and Donation” event at Norby’s.

There are still a few events ongoing as part of the fun.  Residents can still register to be a part of the house decorating contest.  The registration can be found here.  Children ages 3-12 can still turn in their coloring contest pages to Terry Rose or Corduroy and Pixie Dust until December 13th.  And the holiday punch cards can be filled out until December 22nd for a chance to win up to $400 to chamber businesses.  Punch cards can be mailed to the Dell Rapids Chamber of Commerce (PO Box 81, Dell Rapids, SD 57022) or dropped off at Ladelle and Fourth or T&C’s Other Place.  Winner will be announced New Year’s Day

The Dell Rapids Chamber of Commerce held their annual “Christmas at the Dells” celebration on Saturday, December 3rd, and Sunday, December 4th, in Dell Rapids.  This year’s theme was “Tales of Christmas”.

Some of the events held during the weekend included half-priced bowling, a free movie showing sponsored by Schwebach Realty, soup supper, Christmas Tree lighting, Christmas Tea, pictures with Santa Claus, Parade of Lights, Tour of Holiday Homes, Festival of Christmas, Festival of Christmas Auction, sleigh rides, live nativity, a holiday sign workshop, a gingerbread house contest, and many other fun events.

The winners for the gingerbread contest

• 1st place:  Kailena Campbell
• 2nd place:  Cate Trail
• Family Winner:  Kruger Family
• Classroom Winner:  St Mary 3rd Grade

The Chamber of Commerce still has fun events happening throughout the rest of the Christmas season.  It’s not too late to get punch cards for a chance to win $400 in gift cards to local Dell Rapids businesses.  The Chamber of Commerce Business Christmas Tree contest is still ongoing.  Judging will take place on December 22nd with the winning business receiving a free lunch from a local business.  There is also still time to participate in the Home Lighting contest.  Judging will take place on December 21st for a chance to win $50 gift card prize.  More information about these remaining events can be found on the Chamber’s website at www.dellrapidschamber.com.

The Dell Rapids Chamber of Commerce’s Annual Christmas at the Dells celebration is just around the corner.  This year’s celebration will take place the first weekend of December.

Events start at 9:00 a.m. on Saturday, December 5th at the Dells Museum.  Dells Bowl will have half-priced bowling starting at 1:00 p.m.  River Community Church will be hosting a children’s craft event from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m.  There will be sleigh/hayrides from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m.  The American Legion will be having a soup supper from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m.  The Christmas Tree Lighting and the Parade of Lights will start at 6:30 p.m.

Events continue on Sunday starting at 12:00 p.m. at the Dells Museum that will run all day long.  The Festival of Christmas Auction will start at 7:00 p.m.

Along with a weekend full of events, the Dell Rapids Chamber of Commerce will be having a gingerbread house contest and coloring contest.  There will also be some new additions to the Christmas at the Dells celebration that will continue past the weekend through the month of December.

Dell Rapids Chamber of Commerce Treasurer Amber Larson says, “We are excited to add some new activities to our annual Christmas at the Dells celebration this year. The new additions include a ‘Shop Our Town Punch Card’, Holiday Lighting contest, children’s coloring contest, and a children’s craft event at RCC.”

The “Shop Our Town Punch Card”  activity invites locals to visit many wonderful businesses in Dell Rapids. Shoppers are to collect 10 punches on the card and return it to Video Plus by December 17^th to be entered into a drawing for a new tablet. The punch cards can be found at Video Plus.

For residents that want to participate in the Holiday Lighting contest, they are asked to decorate their homes and contact the chamber by Monday, December 21st, by phone (428-4167), email (drchamberofcommerce@gmail.com), or mail (PO Box 81) with their names and address to be entered into the contest.  Dell Rapids Chamber of Commerce board members will drive around Dell Rapids on the evening of Tuesday, December 22nd to pick out the winners.  Winners will receive some fun prizes from the chamber.

Larson also says, “We enjoy planning this annual event and hope to reach out to the community to remind them of the great town we are proud to call home.”

More details about the event can be found on the Dell Rapids Chamber of Commerce website www.dellrapids.org.