Serving the Loup Valley for 142 Years
WinterFest Defeats 'Grinch' Weather On Nov. 29
Santa and Mrs. C were undeterred by the unexpected winter storm that hit Valley County just in time for WinterFest 2025. The jolly couple were highly visible throughout downtown events as were many residents despite the inclement weather.
By Kate Wolf
Mother Nature may have hit Valley County like the Grinch on Sat., Nov. 29, with freezing drizzle, snow, and 25-35 mph winds but it did little to dent the enthusiasm for Ord area residents determined to celebrate WinterFest 2025.
Santa and Mrs. C flew in on Air Claus One because, of course, he wanted Mrs. C to be comfy during the flight. They arrived in time to kick off the celebration and attend the eighth grade Breakfast with Santa fundraiser at Jubilee Events & Catering which was packed with a multitude of hungry attendees. Both Santa and Mrs. C were highly visible at various events throughout the day. The reindeer were supposed to fly in a little later, courtesy of the Valley County Health System Childhood Development Committee, but the unfortunate word was received that high winds and reduced visibility prevented their flight into town.
Food was abundantly plentiful in many locations across downtown which may have made for difficult decisions on which to attend, but Ord residents are very practical by nature. After breakfast and a lunch of their choice, many went to those places they may have missed for carry-out so supper was covered as well!
Impervious to the cold, many children raced along the streets to different events clutching their printed schedules so they wouldn’t miss a thing. Merchants and other businesses gladly opened their doors offering a warm-up of coffee, cookies, hot cider and cocoa. The Golden Husk Theatre was packed for the free Charlie Brown Christmas Jazz Concert with those happy tunes being heard up and down the street.
The WinterFest Parade with lighted floats was simply spectacular after sunset while attendees sought out the Valley Rods warming station to combat the cold. Later, the official City Christmas Tree was lit up by Abbi (Stethem) Tonniges in honor of her late mother, Lisa Stethem, in a touching ceremony followed by Christmas carols sung at the base of the courthouse steps. If a few eyes were visibly leaking, it wasn’t because of the wind.
The weather may have been uncooperative, but WinterFest 2025 served as a testament to rural small town resilience and the determinations of its organizers to execute a first-class winter celebration. Thank you to all who made it possible!
Weather Sponsored By:
Dan Vech
