Monthly Archives: November 2015

Holiday Train

The Canadian Pacific’s Holiday Train is ready to brighten communities and warm hearts for a 17th year!

​ ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Every year, the lighted Holiday Trains travel through dozens of communities, raising food and cash donations for North American food banks.

Again this year, the Holiday Train program is encouraging people attending events to bring heart healthy donations. Heart health education and awareness is a tenet of CP’s community investment program, CP Has Heart, which focuses on improving the heart health of men, women and children in communities across North America.

The two brightly lit trains kicked off their seasonal journey in the Montreal area November 27 and 28 on their way to visit approximately 150 communities. The “Canadian Train” travels west across Canada finishing its journey in British Columbia. The “US Train” visits communities across the U.S. Northeast and Midwest, and returns back to Canada for shows in Saskatchewan and Alberta.​​

In our area, the Holiday Train will stop in Glenwood and Alexandria December 13 and in Elbow Lake December 14. Other stops include southeastern Minnesota from December 6 through December 9 and the Twin Cities area from December 10 through 12.

Included with the Holiday Train are free concerts, but you’re encouraged to make a donation to the local food bank—either a non-perishable food item or a cash donation. All contributions will stay within the local community.​​

For a schedule of the train’s route as well as addresses and arrival times, visit www.cpr.ca/holiday-train.

Lighted Parade!

Main Street Ortonville will be lit up with a Lighted Parade at 5 p.m. December 5 for Santa Day!

The parade route will start at the corner by Investors Advisory Management Group and will proceed to the Community Center.

Included in the Lighted Parade will be the Avenue of Trees! Following the parade, the trees will be lit in the former Kaye lot (across from the Community Center), where people can vote for a favorite tree from December 5 to December 18. There will be a ballot box in the lot to submit your vote.

In the spirit of the season of giving, the DRC and Chamber Director will donate $100 to a charity of choice by the group/person who decorated the public-voted favorite tree!

If anyone wants to have an entry in the Lighted Parade, contact the Big Stone Lake Area Chamber at 320-839-3284 or at [email protected]! by December 3!

Small Business Saturday

November 27, 2010 was the first Small Business Saturday; it was (and still is!) a day to encourage people across the country to support small, local businesses!

On Small Business Saturday in 2012, 79.3 million people went out to shop at small businesses, and last year, an estimated $14.3 billion was spent at small independent businesses on Small Business Saturday.

This year, Small Business Saturday is November 28! In the Big Stone Lake Area (all the way from Clinton to Ortonville to Big Stone City), 37 small businesses have registered with American Express and are listed on the Small Business Saturday website!

While some Black Friday shopping is OK, supporting our local businesses November 28 on Small Business Saturday is just as great!

Santa Day!

Santa (and the Mrs.) Claus is comin’ to Ortonville!

The Claus’ will be in town December 5 for Santa Day! They will be at Lingonberry’s Pastry & Coffee Shop for pictures with the kiddos from 1 to 3 p.m.! They will also be riding in the Lighted Parade at 5 p.m.!

Other activities include holiday arts & crafts, cookie decorating, an adult ugly sweater contest, hay rides and holiday movies!

Stick around for the Lighted Parade and Avenue of Trees Lighting at 5 p.m.!

Click here for a Santa Day poster!

Click here for the Ugly Sweater Contest poster!

Holiday Contests!

‘Tis the season…to turn the Big Stone Lake Area into a magical wonderland of lights! This season, the first ever Big Stone Lake Area Holiday Decorating Contest will be during the following dates:

  • Decorating & Entry Period: November 1—December 3
  • Lighting Period: through December 25
  • Judging: before December 18
  • Winners Announced: December 21

The grand prize winner will receive 10 percent off a 2016 Chamber membership!

Please read the decorating contest rules and instructions here.

Entry applications are available here, by emailing [email protected] or by stopping into the Chamber office!

If you have any questions, contact the Big Stone Lake Area Chamber at 320-839-3284.

Let’s make the Big Stone Lake area merry and BRIGHT this holiday season!


Avenue of Trees!

Any business, organization or community member that would like to light up the vacant lot across from the Ortonville Community Center can do so with decorated trees!

The Avenue of Trees will be displayed in the Lighted Parade during Santa Day in Ortonville December 5! Following the parade, they will be lit in the former Kaye lot (across from the Community Center), where people can vote for a favorite tree from December 5 to December 18. There will be a ballot box in the former Kaye lot to submit your vote.

In the spirit of the season of giving, the DRC and Chamber Director will donate $100 to a charity of choice by the group/person who decorated the public-voted favorite tree!

A challenge to the surrounding communities has been issued! Decorate a tree from your community and have it represented in our Lighted Parade December 5! Your community’s tree will be on display in the Avenue of Trees, too!

For more details and to get involved in the Avenue of Trees, contact the Big Stone Lake Area Chamber at 320-839-3284 or at [email protected]!


Residential Holiday Decorating Contest!

A holiday decorating contest for Ortonville and Big Stone City residents is also in the works! Nominations will be taken for the contest.

  • Nomination Period: November 30—December 16
  • Lighting Period: December 17—December 25
  • Judging: December 17—December 18
  • Winners Announced: December 21

First place receives $50 in Chamber Bucks; 2nd place will get $35 in Chamber Bucks; and 3rd place will receive $15 in Chamber Bucks!

Please click here for more details!


Lighted Parade!

Main Street Ortonville will be lit up with a Lighted Parade at 5 p.m. December 5 for Santa Day!

The parade route will start at the corner by Investors Advisory Management Group and will proceed to the former Kaye lot (across from the community center).

If anyone wants to have an entry in the Lighted Parade, contact the Big Stone Lake Area Chamber at 320-839-3284 or at [email protected]! by December 3!