Merry Merchant Munch

We spent a festive evening last night at the Merry Merchant's Munch and the Winter Wonderland Walk in Eagle River. This event is held the first Friday & Saturday of December every year.

It includes many fun, holiday events including singing, food, gingerbread, and Santa. It's all free and a lot of fun.

Local school choirs sing holiday songs. Local merchants give out all sorts of food and treats. We went to Super Suppers which had an awesome buffet of really good food, everything from appetizer to dessert.

The bank hosted the Annual Gingerbread Contest again this year. I hesitated to enter my gingerbread trio as I hadn't really made it with the competition in mind. And last year, I was disappointed by how the judging was handled. In the end, I decided to enter so I could again share my creation with the hordes who participate in the Merry Merchant Munch. I did take first place in my category. There weren't any gigantic houses this year. I suggested to the bank staff that the questionable judging last year may have dissuaded some bakers from entering, as it had almost done for me. Apparently, there are different judges each year.

Santa was scheduled to arrive at 7pm and light the Christmas tree in the park. He was right on time. Kids were tossed up on their daddy's shoulders to get a better look at the arriving Santa. He landed in his sleigh at the base of the sledding hill and was escorted by torch-bearers to the hub of the crowd.

After the tree lighting, children lined up to visit with Santa in his sleigh and pet his reindeer. Rudolph didn't make the trip as the fog wasn't so thick as to require his services.

Along with snow and munchies, the festivities included lots of dogs to be petted. Alicia spent much of her time asking dog owners if she could pet their pooch and then distributing a nice rub down to each.

There was also a team of dog mushers. Alicia took a try at driving the sled. She might have to grow a little taller before she enters the Iditarod...