‘Now is the perfect time to come downtown’: Sturgis’ Dashing Through Downtown begins Thursday

This week is a great time to come downtown and experience a Sturgis Christmas, Ryan Conrod said.

Conrod, an event coordinator with the Sturgis Downtown Development Authority, shared information about this year’s “Dashing Through Downtown.” Activities funded by the DDA, City of Sturgis, and participating businesses are planned for the afternoons and evenings of Thursday, December 5-Friday, December 6, with an afternoon finale Saturday, December 7.

“Dress warmly, because obviously, it’s going to be cold. But that’s part of the appeal of Christmas,” Conrod said.

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Several traditions are returning to Dashing Through Downtown. The festivities begin at 4 p.m. Thursday with the “Kristkindlmarkt” on Pleasant Avenue.

“We’re expecting about a dozen vendors this year,” Conrod said. “It’s just a small sampling of what you’d see in Chicago or Grand Rapids’ Christmas markets, here in our town. The vendors will sell their baked goods and Christmas products, for gifts and stocking stuffers.”

Market visitors can also stop at food trucks, buy hot cocoa from the DDA, or check out photo opportunities when they’re not shopping. The Kristkindlmarkt lasts from 4-8 p.m. Thursday, 4-9 p.m. Friday, and 12-4 p.m. Saturday.

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Santa Claus is coming to town starting at 4 p.m. Friday. Jolly old St. Nicholas will ride a fire truck from the Sturgis Chamber of Commerce to Free Church Park, followed by the Sturgis High School marching band.

“The park is where Santa’s house is, and where people can see him,” Conrod said. “We’ll be giving out free hot cocoa and donuts, and you can see actual reindeer.”

Free Church Park will also host the Sturgis High School’s band and choir, plus free carriage rides and the Grinch. Anyone unable to see Santa on Friday will have a second chance from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, when he visits the Sturgis Historical Museum.

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“Our late-night shopping, the ‘Sip & Stroll,’ has been going on for 20 years,” Conrod said. “Friday night, from 5:30-9 p.m., there will be between 18-20 businesses open for shopping and the opportunity to win prizes.”

Punch cards will be available Friday at the DDA booth on Pleasant Avenue. Contestants can go to participating stores, get their cards punched and turned in, and find out Monday, December 9 if they’ve won any of several donated presents.

“It gives the stores the foot traffic, and it’s a lot of fun,” Conrod said.

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Finally, “The Polar Express” will play at 1 p.m. Saturday at the Strand. For $5, moviegoers get to see the 2004 film, some “Polar Punch,” a small bag of popcorn, a souvenir ornament, and photos with the beloved Christmas character, the Conductor.

“We’ve had 100s of kids come who want to see Santa, as well as people coming from out of town, from Niles and Edwardsburg, who’ve heard about our market,” Conrod said. “They come for the shopping, Santa, and the movie. We’re definitely going to get more than 1,000 people over the three days.”

Conrod expects Sturgis’ new downtown lighting, extended shopping and eating opportunities, and renovated parking lots will attract Dashing Through Downtown guests.

“If you haven’t been to Sturgis or haven’t gone to any of our Christmas events, or any of our events in general, now is the perfect time to come downtown,” he said.

Frank Stanko is a staff writer for Watershed Voice.