Quick Trips: Lakota Invitational, Kiwanis Holiday Lights in Mankato, Pella Historical Village

December 14, 2019 at 5:52AM
The Kiwanis Holiday Lights display transforms Mankato's Sibley Park with 1.5 million colored lights.
The Kiwanis Holiday Lights display transforms Mankato’s Sibley Park with 1.5 million colored lights. (The Minnesota Star Tribune)

Rapid City, S.D.

Celebrate the culture of the Lakota Nation during the 43rd annual Lakota Nation Invitational Wed.-Sat. Youths from around the U.S. will compete in sports, handgame, poetry and other competitions, and guests can also enjoy a powwow, storytelling and more at the Rushmore Plaza Civic Center. Events start at 9 a.m. daily (lakotanationinvitational.com).

Mankato

South of the Twin Cities, holiday revelers can walk or drive through Sibley Park to see more than 1 million LED lights during the annual Kiwanis Holiday Lights. The display features a lighted tunnel, giant Christmas tree, live reindeer, photos with Santa Claus (through Dec. 22), an ice sculpting contest, ice skating and more through Dec. 31. Hours are 5-9 p.m. Sun.-Thu., 5-10 p.m. Fri.-Sat. (kiwanisholidaylights.com).

Pella, Iowa

At the Pella Historical Village visitors can gaze at the site's 22 decorated buildings through Dec. 30. Guests can also stop by the Vermeer Windmill for a guided tour (10:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Mon.-Fri., 10:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Sat.), or take a self-guided tour to visit the Sod House, Heritage Hall, a meat and cheese shop, a recreated Dutch bakery, a blacksmith shop and more. Hours are 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Mon.-Fri., 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sat. Closed Christmas Day (1-641-628-2409).

Dodgeville, Wis.

Experience holiday traditions from around the world during the 72nd annual Festival of Christmas and Midwinter Traditions Dec. 28-Jan. 1 at the Folklore Village. The seasonal celebration includes folk songs and art, ethnic afternoon teas, dancing, exhibits, children's activities and more (tinyurl.com/wv28d5r).

Colleen A. Coles


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