Holiday events bring arts, health and community across Perham
A community calendar running from December 4 to December 14 showcased a packed slate of family friendly arts, health and civic events across Perham and nearby towns. The mix of holiday markets, fundraisers, dementia friendly programming and digital skills classes matters to residents because it supports local economy, caregiver needs and access to services.
Local communities across Otter Tail County gathered around a wide array of activities this week as holiday programming moved into full swing. Events held December 4 and 5 drew families to museum tours, concerts, open houses and fundraisers, while a busy slate for December 6 is underway and additional workshops and accessibility programs are set for the second week of December.
On December 4, the History Museum of East Otter Tail County hosted a reservation only Nosy Neighbor tour, The Backyard welcomed families and pets for pictures with Santa Claws, and small businesses held holiday open houses and parties including Landmark Liquors and Revive Salon Spa. The Corner Collective Bistro opened a new art exhibit and hosted an evening music concert, and Schoeneberger Funeral and Cremation Service held a Service of Remembrance, bringing an important moment of community support during the holidays.
Friday events included a Perham branch open house at Magnifi, a wine tasting and floral crafting evening at The Underground Lounge, Grinch Skate Night at the Perham Area Community Center from 6 to 8 30 p.m., and a Pizza Pop and Puzzles fundraiser at Corner Collective Bistro. Today community organizations are hosting holiday markets and family concerts. Calvary Lutheran youth led a Winter Woodland Christmas Market, Perham Center for the Arts held a kids Christmas party and an evening candlelight concert and art exhibit, and Frazee presented its Merry Frazee festival with skating and a snow plow parade.
Events scheduled for December 8 through December 14 emphasize health, inclusion and skills. A Best Life Club walking and social event offers a Healthier Happy Hour, New York Mills Cultural Center will host open mic night, and the Comet Theater is offering a dementia friendly screening of A Christmas Story with sign up required. A Battle Lake community design workshop invites public input on local planning, and Elevate and Arvig are running a Digital Life Skills class focused on video calling.
These gatherings matter beyond seasonal cheer. Markets and vendor shows circulate local dollars to craftsmen and nonprofits. Dementia friendly programming and remembrance services address caregiver needs and grief during a socially demanding season. Digital skills and walking social events reduce isolation and help residents access telehealth and community services. Check event hosts for registration details and any last minute changes.
