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St. Paul's Rice Park attempts to recreate Reckefeller Center

This Christmas season, the Capital City Partnership has transformed the entire neighborhood surrounding St. Paul’s Rice Park into a “Winter Wonderland.”

Millions of lights strung between the plants of the historic Landmark Center in Rice Park create a sea of a radiance. Sixty thousand lights adorn the giant 80-foot-tall holiday tree at the center of the park, and many more light the rest of the park.

The giant blue spruce, which now stands in St. Paul’s central downtown park, comes to the capitol city after growing for 75 years in the south Minneapolis yard of Roger and Kathy Simonson. It was chosen to compete with the famous Christmas tree in front of Rockefeller Center in New York City.

“We want to expand the Rockefeller Center experience to St. Paul,” said Sue Gonsior, the spokeswoman of the Capital City Partnership. “Thereby we create vitality downtown and make it a winter destination for people in the Twin Cities.”

As tall and bright as its iconic counterpart in the Big Apple, St. Paul’s holiday tree will be featured until New Year’s Eve. Between now and then, a host of artistic events will take place at its feet, such as choir concerts and interactive entertainment.Ten-to-12-foot nutcracker and angel sculptures, huge presents laying on the lawn of Rice Park, and additional decor also contribute to the special Christmas spirit that can be felt in this year’s pre-holiday downtown St. Paul.

Every Saturday in December, beginning at about 3 p.m., a special program will be offered, featuring a meeting with Santa, horse-drawn carriage rides, among attractions. Carriage rides cost $10 to $50 depending on distance.

The skating rink in front of the Landmark Center will be open to the public until Jan. 17. There’s also a warming house to take a break from skating and get warm again drinking a hot chocolate.

The rink’s hours are 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 11 a.m.-10 p.m. on Friday and 10 a.m.-10 p.m. on weekends.

Skate rental for the rink is $2 per pair, but those who bring their own can experience a romantic winter afternoon skating within the sea of lights for free.

Jennifer, 20, a student at Hamline University, said “This outdoor winter skating reminds me of my childhood." Grown-up college boys playing tag in the ring last Sunday evening showed that others feel the same.

The ice is usually refreshed every day around 4 p.m., and most festivities and special events in St. Paul’s Rice Park are free.

For further information, check out www.capitalcitypartnership.com/events/winterskate or call the Capital City partnership info hotline at 651-291-5608.

Downtown Minneapolis has held the radiant Holidazzle parade for the past 15 years

Since 1992, the Holidazzle parade has captured the hearts of thousands of Minnesotans. With its captivating lights and unique costumes, it has become an experience that the entire family can enjoy. With 45 percent brighter lights, costumes, and even some new attractions, this year is no exception.

This year, the parade took its first turn around the Nicollet Mall on Nov. 24, accompanied by an hour-long broadcast on WCCO-TV. Like previous years, the parade begins on 12th Street at 6:30 p.m. and ends on 4th Street in 30 minutes.

In an effort to uncover what goes into this half-hour, St. Paul native Samantha Richards, explained her job in the parade.

“I put all of the volunteers in their costumes,” said Richards. “Everyone is always really excited before heading out to the streets and there is always a very positive energy backstage.”

“This is my second year working at the Holidazzle,” Richard said, “and I think this year is definitely more chaotic, everyone just wants to get out there and do their best.” Other than just costumes, lights, and floats, there are many other elements that go into the parade. “There is actually a lot more to it,” said Richards, “The float engineers and electricians do an excellent job and it is amazing watching them work and repair the floats and lights.”

Although the parade only lasts 30 minutes, Holidazzle employees are required to be there much longer than that. “I have to get down there a couple hours early and wait for the volunteers to check in before I can get them dressed in their costumes,” said Richards. “Then I have to watch the entire parade and make sure the costumes are functioning properly. After that, I have to get the volunteers out of their outfits and make sure they don’t ruin them.”

However, the efforts that take place backstage are not all that is accountable for the Holidazzle’s success. Mallory O’Neil also explained her role in the parade, “I sell light up toys to the kids along the route.”

Even though she doesn’t get to be in the parade, marching along with the hundreds of volunteers, she really enjoys what she does. “The whole thing is just a blast,” O’Neil said, “all of the kids have an awesome time, and the floats are all really fun and each of them have their own song. It’s probably the best job to have; everyone is in the Christmas spirit and just has a good time.”

It is obvious at the parade that it is not only the people performing who are volunteering their time and efforts. “A lot of people bring food and money to donate, because there are other volunteers collecting money and non-perishable food items before the actual parade starts,” said O’Neil. “The circus train (a train with kids inside dressed up as little animals) also collects food for the Emergency Food Shelf Network.”

If you are interested in checking out the parade, you can catch it at the Nicollet Mall from 6:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. every Wednesday through Sunday until December 23. If you are looking to stay warm and enjoy the parade at the same time, get there early so that you can find a spot in the skyways.