theordquiz.com

By Kate Wolf
   If you thought last year’s WinterFest celebration in downtown Ord was tough to beat, consider the challenge accepted. Christy Oestreich of Ace Hardware, her dedicated staff, the team of tireless volunteers and the Ord Area Chamber of Commerce have planned a day filled with fun activities, more children’s games, drawings and other special features guaranteed to make WinterFest 2025 on Sat., Nov. 29, the most enjoyable ever! The theme for this year’s festivities is “An ExtraORDinary Christmas.”
   The fun begins early with the arrival of Santa and Mrs. Claus at the Gazebo, snowball drawings for prizes or ChamberBucks throughout the day, and a delicious breakfast fundraiser for the Ord eighth grade at Jubilee Events and Catering. There will be ornament trees at Ace Hardware, the Kids Book Walk & Storytime with Santa at Books & Nooks, the usual free yoga lessons, the ever challenging downtown Scavenger Hunt, the warming station with beverages at the Valley Rods Clubhouse, and the evening WinterFest Parade that everyone always enjoys. But this year there is so much more.
   Candy Cane Lane has brought its popular craft and vendor show downtown to the Methodist Church Fellowship Hall from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Food will also be readily available at Flippin’ Mini Pancakes Pop-up Shop at Hey Honey Boutique from 10 a.m.-2 p.m., a Soup and Grilled Cheese fundraiser to benefit the UMC Youth Fellowship at the Methodist Church from 11 a.m.-2 p.m., a Soup and Sandwich fundraiser to benefit the Valley County Historical Society at the Ord Fire Hall from 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m., a Senior Center fundraiser from 11 a.m.-3 p.m., Ord Gymnastics Hair Tinsel & Bake Sale at Ord’s Ace Hardware, as well as coffee, cider and cookies at the Valley County Museum from 2-6 p.m. In addition to all of the other eating establishments downtown, no one should go home hungry.
   New this year are activity books with puzzles to complete before 1:45 p.m. in order to win a reward. Pick yours up early in the morning at the Gazebo and turn them in to either Buzzed Coffee or Zoë Marie’s Bakery & Coffee by 1:45 p.m. A Charity Donation Station at the Gazebo will challenge people to match the weight of Ord’s Elementary Music Director Jesse Rosberg with donations of cash and coins. This event lasts from 9 a.m.-5:30 p.m. and funds collected go to help the Ord Food Pantry and Make Christmas Happen. Some area businesses have even pledged to match what the students donate!
   “We also have some businesses in town that are donating a percentage of their sales which is very generous,” Oestreich noted. Last year’s charitable donations amounted to $3,200 and they are hoping to match or exceed that figure.
   Several new children’s games and craft activities are also included this year. They can build a craft snowman at Ace Hardware from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. and enjoy a golf putting competition sponsored by Dane Creek Golf Course and Ord Golf Club in the open green space just west of Blanquita’s Mexican Restaurant from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Kids can also compete in teams to design a snowman at the Gazebo at 10:30 a.m., enjoy a fun Ninja Warrior competition at Roots Holistic Healing from 10:30 a.m.-Noon, and have fun with a holiday family challenge and puzzle competition from Noon-3 p.m. at the Ord Township Library. They can test their olfactory skills by playing “What’s That Holiday Smell?” at the Gazebo at 12:30 p.m., and laugh while they play the Human Slot Machine, also at the Gazebo, by making a donation to spin the wheel for a chance to win a prize from 1:30-5:30 p.m. Last but certainly not least, they can race to find the most candy canes at 3:30 p.m. near the Gazebo as well. 
   By 2 p.m. you may be ready to get off your feet and relax at The Golden Husk where a free Charlie Brown Christmas Jazz Concert will be held featuring local student singers. And what would a WinterFest celebration be without reindeer? Valley County Health System’s Child Development Committee has generously provided the reindeer for a “Meet and Greet” from 3-5 p.m. near the Gazebo.
   Also new this year is the Ord Chamber’s Shopping Passport for a chance to win $100 in ChamberBucks. Shop at participating Chamber businesses and receive a stamp on your passport for a purchase over $10. One stamp per business per day, per person is the only criteria but multiple passports can be completed between Nov. 13-29 and are already available in the stores. This program replaces the ChamberBucks drawing from submitted receipts done in previous years. 
   “We wanted to move that shopping forward,” Christy Oestreich explained, “To encourage people to shop local and start here.”
   Finally, following the fabulous WinterFest Parade at 6 p.m., an official Christmas Tree Lighting will be held on the west courthouse steps with singing carols afterwards. The Stethem family will have the honor of lighting the tree in memory of Lisa Stethem who passed away April 10, 2025. T-Shirt sales can already be pre-ordered before Nov. 21 and the family has designated proceeds to go to Valley County Health System.
   This year’s WinterFest promises to be even better than previous years, so grab an hourly schedule to take along with you. You won’t want to miss a thing!