Community Gathers for Holiday Events, Music and Support in Perham

The New York Mills Regional Cultural Center presented its 17th Annual Longest Night Music Festival on Sunday, December 21. Doors opened at 6:30 p.m. and music began at 7 p.m. Eleven area musicians performed at the free concert, with acts including Zac and Sarah, Ken Waldman, Amanda Standalone, Nick Bordwell, Aaron Johnson, Keith Johnson, and New York Mills artists Elliot Frost, Kevin Mastel, Kip Peltoniemi and Dave Virnala. The event offered a calm, communal evening during a week of seasonal activities across the Perham area.

Earlier in the week United Community Bank held a Christmas open house on Thursday, December 18 at its Perham, Dent and Frazee locations with free treats and cider. The Perham Area Community Center welcomed Santa and Mrs. Claus on the same morning with pancakes, a candy cane hunt and other family activities. Admission to that morning event was free for PACC members who brought a food pantry donation or six dollars for guests. The Perham Area Public Library hosted a Christmas tree themed Storytime with Becky and Crosspoint Alliance Church held a Memory Cafe at 1 p.m., a supportive gathering that included a holiday party, music and an ornament craft.

Perham community traditions continued with the final horse drawn sleigh ride from Lakeside Tap to Lights in the Pines on Friday, December 19 and the final weekend of the Lights in the Pines celebration at the Pioneer Grounds, which was held nightly December 19 through December 21. A drop off PACC Kids Holiday Party took place on Saturday, December 20 and St. Pauls Lutheran Church held a Gingerbread Bash on Sunday morning.

Today, Monday December 22, local workshops and wellness activities are under way including a Gingerbread House Exploratory with Wendy Frensko from Cake Walk at Elevate’s conference room from 1 to 3 p.m. and a Best Life Club Healthier Happy Hour that begins with a short walk at the Perham Area Community Center followed by games and non alcoholic refreshments from 1 to 2:30 p.m. Connections will host a Christmas party and the Perham Area Public Library will hold its Collectors Club later in the week. Christmas Eve candlelight services are scheduled at St. Pauls Lutheran and Northwoods Life Church on December 24, and government offices will be closed on December 25.

Many events this week were free or low cost and included accessible options such as sensory swim sessions that are free for members and weekly Sit n Stitch gatherings at the New York Mills Regional Cultural Center. These offerings provide opportunities for social connection, respite for caregivers, and inexpensive family activities during a season when isolation and financial strain can affect health. For more details or to submit community items for future calendars contact the Perham Focus newsroom.