Apple Blossom Village Winter Faire and Spiral of Light Support Community

Apple Blossom Village will hold a winter faire and Spiral of Light ceremony on Saturday, December 13, at Rail River Folk School, 303 Railroad St. SW in Bemidji. The winter faire runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., featuring handmade crafts and homemade soup, bread, and baked goods for sale. The Bemidji Lions Club will provide free children's eyesight screenings from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Spiral of Light activities, including candle rolling and a winter spiral in the yurts, will take place from 3 to 5 p.m., with the winter spiral opening at 4:15 p.m. and a story and free hot chocolate for attendees. Spiral activities are five dollars per child with an adult, children age two and under are free, and tickets will be available at the door or online.

This event functions as a fundraiser for Apple Blossom Village while also acting as a community health touchpoint. Free vision screenings address a gap that many rural families face, where regular pediatric eye care is less accessible and transportation barriers can make follow up difficult. Early detection of vision problems can affect learning and development, so a local screening opportunity reduces logistical and financial friction for parents and caregivers.

The faire also provides low cost food and social connection during a season when isolation and economic strain can deepen. For older adults and households on limited incomes, small ticket prices and free offerings help keep community rituals inclusive. Local organizers and volunteer groups play a central role in filling service gaps that larger systems do not always reach in Beltrami County.

Events like this illuminate broader policy issues around rural preventive care and community supports. Sustainable access to pediatric vision services and safe, affordable public gatherings depends on continued funding for local health programs, transportation solutions, and partnerships between nonprofits and volunteer organizations.

Residents interested in attending can go to Rail River Folk School on December 13, purchase tickets at the door or online, and take advantage of the free eyesight screenings and the Spiral of Light celebration as part of a winter day of community connection.