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• Cranefest
  March 2009
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  June 2009
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  June 2009
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  August 2009
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  October 17, 2009
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  Nov. 28, Dec. 6 & 13 2009

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The Christmas City

Minden's 'Light of the World' Christmas Pageant

It all started in 1915 with a combination of bad weather and a community spirited City Light Commissioner. Local residents wanted to impress the state convention of the Grand Army of the Republic, so, City Light Commissioner J. W. Haws stretched strings of lights from the Railroad Depot to the town square. Three days of freezing rain made it impossible to use the non-insulated strings of lights. At Christmas time, the light commissioner decided to surprise the townspeople. Working alone, he colored the lights and strung them on the Courthouse dome. He turned them on Christmas Eve. For years Mr. Haws hand-dipped the bulbs and arranged Christmas designs on the dome of the Courthouse. Because of his efforts, Minden is known as "The Christmas City."

Minden, now officially designated as Nebraska’s Christmas City, kicks off every season by staging the “Light of the World” Christmas pageant concluded by a glorious show of Christmas lights. Every Friday following Thanksgiving, over twelve thousand brilliant lights, arranged to illuminate the architectural features of the historic courthouse and the square simultaneously turn on as the final strains of the Hallelujah Chorus from Handel’s Messiah drift across the starry sky.

Minden’s Christmas pageant attracts many who drive long distances to see the lighting of the historic courthouse and relive the Biblical story. More than 100 Minden volunteers play centurions, angels, kings, the wise men as well as Joseph, and Mary in a reenactment of the traditional Christmas story. The ancient Biblical passages, read over a speaker system, resonate clearly in the chilly night air. At the end of the 30 minute pageant, thousands of brilliant lights blink on, twinkle and glow in magnificent splendor. The businesses around the square also share in the holiday atmosphere as their windows are lit with colorful decorations.

Call the Minden Chamber of Commerce at 308-832-1811 for dates and times. Because of the changing Nebraska weather, you may want to dress warmly for this grand event.

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