By Bruce Karnick

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The Hastings area community is so very fortunate to have many caring families and organizations all year long. This becomes more apparent during the holidays with so many acts of kindness, increased donations, all the holiday lights and family friendly activities. Yes, 2020 is a different year, but the Hastings community is a resilient and resourceful bunch. We continue to find ways to help each other and lift each other when we need it. Two wonderful events took place last weekend. Kicking it off was Bremer Farms. Bremer Farms has a drive through light display located at 7048 150th St East. Their display features over 11,000 lights and 60 inflatables and is open 5 p.m.-10 p.m. nightly through the holidays. On the second Saturday in December each year, they host a ‘Santa on the Farm’ event where they give out milk and cookies along with some other gifts from farms around Dakota County, show off some baby calves, collect donations and of course, see the Claus’. Part of the treat for the kids is being able to give Santa their letters, this year was no different even with physical distancing in play. This year was their fifth go of this wonderful annual event gathering donations to Hastings Family Services. The volunteers collected donations with the help of a fishing net and delivery of the milk and cookies was done as safe as possible, too. “The event was really successful filling our family’s van with food for Hastings Family Service and collecting so much money we haven’t even had the chance to count it all yet,” said Mike Bremer. If you were not able to make it to the special event, you did not miss out completely. They keep the lights going through December, seven days a week. One advantage of going on your own is there should be little to no wait. Bremer was very thankful at how popular the event was on Saturday, an estimated 300 cars came through, but that led to some waiting. “We had a really good turnout. Some people had to wait in line an hour and a half because so many people came.

One of the many displays on the Bremer Farms Lights drive through light display. The display is open all December from 5-10 p.m. Photo by Mike Bremer of Mike Bremer Aerial Photography. Christmas Spirit

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They were all in good spirits though,” Bremer added.

Santa on the Farm was supposed to be from 5 to 7, but the Bremer’s wanted to make sure everyone made it through, “Thanks again to everyone that came tonight. The line was super long, and we want to thank you for your patience. The last car finally made it through at 8:45 tonight. Now it’s time to pack up all the donations from our generous guests,” they said on the Bremer Farms Lights Facebook Page.

The next stop for the weekend was Miesville! The Miesville Fire Department had to change up their annual holiday event to an outdoor parade. MFD setup for the parade in the parking lot of Jack Ruhr Field, with the first stop a donation point for Toys for Tots of Goodhue County.

This station was manned by a few retired Marines and some MFD crew, the next stop in the line had a food drive for Hastings Family Service. After HFS, there was an opportunity to donate to the Minnesota Amber Alert Fund followed by a spot to be greeted by two of Santa’s reindeer. Shortly after, The Claus were back in ‘action’ again, greeting families from their sleigh.

Much like the Bremer Farms event, the line grew quickly and had a steady stream. There was no official counting of the cars, but they estimated a few hundred had driven through. The few parents we spoke too said the wait was about half an hour and the kids loved seeing Santa and his reindeer along with all the other decorations placed throughout the line. There were even a few humans disguised as reindeer dancing in the lot to Christmas music.

The success of both events this weekend really is a testament to our expanded community and their support for one another. Seeing the smiles on the kids faces as they drive through things like this is so worth it for the volunteers, and maybe even more thrilling for them this year than it is for the kids.

Others are participating in the Christmas Spirit in a different way, Stein Haus for example is accepting food and cash donations for Animal Ark. Spiral Food Co-op is giving customers the opportunity to round up to donate to Animal Ark. Animal Ark is also offering 20% off adoption fees for some of their longer-term dogs.

Toys for Tots drives are happening around town too! Dakota County Government Center and Schommer Insurance are a couple spots you can drop toys at in Hastings and do not forget the Salvation Army Kettles

Santa and Mrs. Claus greet families as they drive through the Miesville Fire Departments Christmas Parade. Photo by Bruce Karnick