Second Annual Milbank Hometown Christmas Saturday, December 2

It’s always wonderful to come home for the holidays, and the Second Annual Hometown Christmas in Milbank will give you that warm and fuzzy feeling. The Milbank Area Chamber of  Commerce (MACC) sponsors the event, and Jamie Henderson, executive director of MACC, says,“This year we are going all out to try new things!”

Returning favorites include the tree lighting ceremony on the lawn of the Grant County Courthouse– see who gets to flip the switch this year– and the Festival of Trees display inside the courthouse. The Festival of Trees is celebrating its 32nd anniversary, so of course Santa will be there along with the Snow Queen –2024 Miss Milbank Olivia Wendland. Whisper your wishlist to Santa and take a photo together.

New this year, will be the standstill lighted parade. The stationary parade starts at 5 p.m. on the north side of the courthouse. All the decorated floats will be parked up and down  Main Street from the courthouse to Highway 12. Everyone is invited to mingle, check out the floats up close, and take your time at each one. The float entry that wins the People’s Choice award receives $200 in Ol’ Mill Bucks. (Henderson reminds everyone,”There is still time to register your float.”)

If mingling makes you hungry, don’t miss the chili cook-off or the free hot chocolate. The chili cook-off begins at 5 p.m. Tasting is available for a free-will donation. Proceeds going to Hometown Christmas and other MACC events. Cast your ballot for the best. The winning cooking team could claim to $200 in Ol’ Mill Bucks – the People’s Choice award winners receive $100 and first place takes home another $100.

Want to get started early? Begin your morning at the Lego contest and bake sale at the 4-H complex at 9:30 a.m. At 3:30 in the afternoon, take the kids to a free showing of The Grinch at the Mill Theatre. One free pop and popcorn are included. It’s all on the house. While the kids are busy building Legos and booing the Grinch, why not do a little Christmas shopping? Local businesses will be holding open houses with refreshments until 5 p.m. 

It’s Fun, It’s Free, It’s Hometown Christmas Hoopla All Day
Schedule of Events
All Day Until 5 p.m. – Open Houses and Refreshments – Participating Merchants
9:30 – 11a.m.– Lego Contest and Bake Sale – 4-H Complex
5 – 8 p.m.–Festival of Trees – Grant County Courthouse
3:30 – 5 p.m. –Free Tickets to see The Grinch with Free Popcorn and Pop – Mill Theatre
5 – 7:30 p.m. (or until gone)– Chili Cook Off – Free Will Donation — Courthouse 
5 – 8 p.m.– Standstill Lighted Parade –  Vote for the Winner – Courthouse to Hwy 12
6 p.m.– Tree Lighting Ceremony – See who Flips the Switch – Lawn of the Courthouse
6 p.m.–  Free Hot Chocolate – Inside the Courthouse
6:30 – 8 p.m. – Visit Santa and Get Your Photo – Meet Miss Milbank – Courthouse

Photo: Decorating the tree for the Hometown Christmas event— By the tree- Jamie Henderson and Becky Boswell. On the lift- Beth Motschenbacher and Dakota Wollschlager.