On Saturday, November 29, the New Melle Chamber of Commerce (NMCC) hosted its 10th Annual Country Christmas. The grounds and hall at New Melle Sports and Rec were beautifully decorated, transforming into a festive Christmas Wonderland, thanks to the many volunteers whose dedication makes this event special every year.
Despite the snowy, chilly weather, over 140 children, along with their parents and grandparents, happily enjoyed all the wonderful holiday activities. With the generous support of sponsors, families sampled cookies and punch, warm wassail, hot chocolate, popcorn, hot dogs, and walking Frito pies while eagerly awaiting Santa and Mrs. Claus’s arrival by fire truck.
Kids had a delightful time visiting with Santa and Mrs. Claus and exploring various stations, including ornament-making, writing letters to Santa, coloring, decorating cookies, using holiday photo props, face painting, and balloon art. The “Snake Lady” and her helpers brought in snakes and a display that offered a fun learning experience for families. The New Melle VFW collected donations for Wreaths Across America, and Peoples Savings Bank was giving out reindeer food. To add to the festive fun, both the juggler and the magician wowed the crowd with their incredible performances.
The NMCC warmly thanks the community, as well as the many sponsors, donors, and volunteers, for helping make this year's New Melle Country Christmas a joyful, magical evening full of family fun. See you next year!
Santa and Mrs. Claus arrive by fire truck. 
Santa and Mrs. Claus greet the visitors and light the Christmas Tree. 
Adalynn (L) and Elliot Alferman visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus.
Daniel H. has a visit with Santa.
Amy Schneider (Christmas Tree)
and the 2025 New Melle Festival
Queen Savannah Roberts
collected canned goods
and handed out welcome
bags to the kids.
Face painting.
Jackie Ginther helping kids create ornaments to take home. 
The New Melle Community Choir. 
A large crowd attended the event. 
Visitors took photos with the props at the 1860 Schulhaus booth.
Becky Kavanaugh with PSB handed out reindeer food. 
The Grinch
Daniel Robinett handed
out candy canes and
whoopee cushions
to the kids.
Dennis Kluge with the VFW Aux. collected donations for
Wreaths Across America. 
New Melle Dental donated popcorn for the kids. 
Kids could write letters to Santa or color a picture. 
Girl Scout volunteers handed out cookies
donated by the City of New Melle. 
Rob Roddy with The Quarry, offering samples of wassail. 
The "Snake Lady" and her assistants displayed
snakes and information. 
Volunteers from St. Paul's Lutheran and St. John's UCC Cappeln
helped the kids decorate Christmas cookies. 
Red Tree Church was ready with hot chocolate. 
The Red Beauty Salon and Catala Facial Retreat
offered tasty hot dogs and walking Frito pies.
Teddy Bears collected in
memory of Trevor Joerling. 
The community Christmas Tree.