Celebrating an Old-Fashioned Cowboy Christmas

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The organizers for Medora’s 16th annual Old-Fashioned Cowboy Christmas are wishing for a cover of snow,

The celebration will feature snow sculpting, sleigh rides and sledding if Mother Nature cooperates, chairwoman Kathy Solga said.

“It’s definitely a community event,” she said. “It’s to encourage people to enjoy the beauty of the Badlands in the winter. Most people think Medora is more of a summer destination, but we want Medora to become a year-around destination for local people.”

Activities are Friday through Sunday, Dec. 2 through 4.

“If we get snow, we’ll be offering cross-country skiing at the Bully Pulpit Golf Course — the snow trails are ready to go,” she added.

The event is sponsored by the Medora Chamber of Commerce, with support of local sponsors.

The committee wanted to make the event more family-friendly this year. For example, a Kiddie Carnival was added for Saturday night.

“The vo-ag kids from South Heart are building some really cool stations for us. It’s our goal to start a new tradition.”

Medora also is hosting “Charlie’s Ghost Story,” which will be presented by Sneak Pique Productions.

“It’s unique in that it’s really geared for Medora’s western theme,” she said.

“This is a world-premiere, a first-time ever event,” said Chuck Andrus, who serves on the Cowboy Christmas Committee and plays Charlie as the narrator in the performance.

The play was commissioned by the committee. Having worked with Sneak Pique Productions in the past, Andrus felt the performance would be a perfect match for the theater company and for Medora.

Compiling all the events on the schedule, Andrus said, “The goal is to provide some good fun for the family. We still have adult entertainment, but we have more events for kids than ever before.”

Friday, Dec. 2

* Shops open.

* Bob Petermann western music and poetry, 3 p.m., Chateau de Mores.

* Oyster stew, 4 p.m., Cowboy Café.

* Wreath ceremony and parade of lights, 6:30 p.m., downtown.

* Veteran’s Memorial Service, 7 p.m., Medora Community Center.

* Theater production with wine/beer and hors d’oeuvres, 7:15 p.m., Medora Community Center.

Saturday, Dec. 3

* Shops open.

* Sleigh and hay rides, and ice skating, 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

* Bob Petermann western poetry and music, 10 a.m. and 3 p.m., Chateau de Mores.

* Children’s games and crafts, 2 to 4 p.m., Chateau de Mores.

* Children’s Christmas movies, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., North Dakota Cowboy Hall of Fame.

* Eats on the Streets, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., local businesses.

* Snow sculpting, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

* Old-fashioned hymn-sing, 12:30 p.m., Medora Community Center.

* Catholic Mass, 4 p.m., St. Mary’s Church.

* Cowboy Christmas supper, 5 p.m., Medora Community Center.

* Fire and ice fireworks, 7:30 p.m.

* Kiddie Carnival, 5 to 9 p.m., Medora Community Center

* Thunder Road dance, 8 p.m., Medora Community Center, with midnight snack buffet.

* Dance contest, 9:30 to 10 p.m., Medora Community Center.

Sunday, Dec. 4

* Freewill breakfast, 9 to 10:30 a.m., Medora Community Center

* Ecumenical service and old-fashioned hymn-sing, 10:30 a.m., Medora community Center.

* Cookie decorating contest, 10 a.m. to noon, Rough Riders Hotel.

* Theater performance, 1 p.m., Medora Community Center.

* Sledding, noon to 5 p.m., Chateau de Mores.

For theater ticket reservations, call 701-483-2004. For more information, contact the Medora Chamber of Commerce at 701-623-4910.

Tags: cowboy christmas, lifestyle, medora, local, dickinson