With the holiday season quickly approaching, S&B reporter Zach Spindler-Krage took to downtown Grinnell, Iowa to ask community members the critically important question, “What is your favorite part of the holiday season in Grinnell?” The answers varied, but the enthusiasm shone through in every answer, leaving us excited for the festivities on the horizon.
You caught us decorating for Jingle Bell Holiday, and what I can tell you is that nothing makes me happier than to see a family squealing, giggling, happy, running around getting their picture taken with all the props. But we need younger volunteers to help out. Volunteerism is something that we need to be doing more of. We need to teach students how to keep this tradition going even after we’re gone.
— Jim White
It’s so picturesque when you come down here at 11:00 at night and it’s snowing, and you can just take in the beautiful lights.
— Jill Crotts
My favorite is the Festival of Trees. I like seeing different community groups and organizations participate and then seeing what they come up with. The kids do a tree, and it’s fun to walk through and see everyone and hear the middle school jazz band and choir, and they raise a little bit of money. It’s December 8 this year inside the library, and it’s always a fun evening.
— Mary Lindberg
It’s fun to work right across from the [Central] Park and see all the lights and the tunnels. I’m excited to see them lit up. I haven’t worked here over the holidays before, so I’ve been watching people work on setting all the decorations up, and I think the Christmas trees on the street corners are fun. We decorated ours as a snowman.
— Elli Wilson
