Outside Looking In

Battle of Bulbs
We've already had several people sign up for the Mascot's third annual "Battle of the Bulbs" Christmas lighting contest. In hopes of having more people involved, we are giving out prizes to more participants than in the past.
After the first year, several people dropped out of the contest. After talking with a few of those people, they admitted that they didn't feel they could compete against some of the homes that are more heavily decorated.
My original idea for the contest in 2020, though, was to get as many people as possible to decorate their house in order for families to drive around Minneota, Ghent and Taunton and enjoy the various lights and decorations during the COVID period when so many events had been cancelled and we were basically confined to our homes.
It's free to register. If you sign up to enter the contest, you have a chance to win a prize regardless of how many lights or decorations your property has. We are giving out the usual first, second and third place prizes worth over $500, $250 and $100, respectively. But we are taking the remaining prizes and giving them out via random drawings. Those prizes will be gift cards, turkeys, hams and more.
Check out the ad in this week's Mascot. Fill out the registration form by Dec. 12 and drop it off at the Mascot office, in the black box outside our front door, mail it to us, or email me to scott@thomabooks.com to enter the contest.
We will have 10 or more judges this year that will travel around to each property and rate the displays from 1-10 based on originality, neatness, working lights and more.
The top three highest totals from the 10 judges will win the 2022 Battle of the Bulbs. The remaining entrants' names then go into a hat and Police Chief Bill Bolt has agreed to draw names out for the remaining prizes.
This contest could not be held if not for the generosity of the local businesses who donate various prizes such as gift cards, cash, holiday decor, tools, pet supplies, food, toys and much more. If a business donates cash, we then purchase items to give away as prizes.
If an individual or business is interested in donating a gift to the contest, please text or call me at 320-894-6007.
We ask that you purchase lights, extension cords and decorations from area businesses as a way of thanking them for donating prizes.
Austin and Shannon Dritz won the 2020 Battle of the Bulbs, while Steph Hennen and Matt DeVos were the 2021 winners.
Light up your home and possibly win a prize. But even if you don't win, we appreciate your participation in lighting up the area communities and making the holiday season a little brighter.

Here comes Santa
Santa Claus decided that he enjoyed his time here so much during the North Pole Extravaganza that he decided to make two more upcoming visits.
He will be riding on a Minneota fire truck in the annual Santa Parade beginning at 6 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 9. The event is hosted by the Minneota Fire Department.
The parade leaves the Fire Hall on South Jefferson Street and follows Jefferson Street north until West 5th Street where it will go one block east, then turn south on Madison Street and go three blocks before turning east on 2nd Street for one block. The parade will then turn north again and go three blocks along N. Monroe Street, turn east on W. 5th Street for one block, and head south again on N. Jackson Street. The parade then crosses Highway 68 and follows E. Lyon Street until Jefferson Street where it will return to the Fire Hall.
Back at the Fire Hall, there will be games for the kids, a hot chocolate bar, and a meet-and-greet and photo opportunity with Santa Claus.
Santa then makes an appearance at the Minneota Public Library during Winter Story Hour at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 17.
Gift bags will be given out to each child that attends. Bring your camera and get a photo of your child with Santa Claus.

Winter sports
Even though the fall sports season has not completely wrapped up yet with the Minneota football team playing in the state championship on Friday, the winter sports season is quickly approaching.
The Minneota girls' basketball team, under first-year coach Al Panka, is scheduled to open the season on Friday, Dec. 2 against Tracy-Milroy-Balaton at Tracy.
The girls’ basketball team’s home opener is set for Monday, Dec. 5 against Yellow Medicine East.
The Canby/Minneota dance team, coached by Shauna Vernlund, has its first event of the season at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 10 at Renville County West High School. (see team preview on Page 3)
The boys' basketball team, which will be coached this season by longtime girls basketball coach Chad Johnston, is scheduled to open its season on Friday, Dec. 16 and Saturday, Dec. 17 in the two-day Heron Lake-Okabena/Fulda holiday tournament that will be held in Okabena.
The wrestling team, which will be co-coached by Matt Myrvik and Matt Buysse (see separate story in this issue) this year, also opens its season on Friday, Dec. 16 at home in a dual against the Minnewaska Area Lakers..

Contact Us

The Minneota Mascot
Address: 201 N. Jefferson
Minneota, MN 56264

Phone:(507) 872-6492