Next week is going to be a busy one for many; the holiday Thanksgiving will be celebrated. Cannon Falls is no exception. With no-school days, delicious homemade food, football games, and Black Friday, residents will be flooded with things to do, either with family, friends, or on their own. But that’s not all. The small town of Cannon Falls adds its own little twist to the eventful weekend—Deck the Falls.
Developed as an idea by the Chamber of Commerce, Deck the Falls is an event that takes place every Saturday after Thanksgiving, as a means to support and revere small businesses in the town. Deck the Falls starts in the morning, not at night, contrary to many beliefs. During the morning, the Fire Department will have a Pancake Breakfast, hosted by Cannon Falls Lions. There’ll also be many local stores open with their own activities throughout the day. However, it’s not just small businesses that will be busy.
Using next Saturday to their advantage, many school clubs will have events going on. The High School band plans to sell trees at Althoffs and Ace Hardware, and Mat Rats will host a race during the day. Minnesota Honors Society(MHS) will also be ringing bells at the local grocery store to raise donations for the Goodhue County Salvation Army. “We usually collect between $300-$700,” Mrs. Hoffman, the advisor, says in an interview, “so that would be our goal for this year too. They’ll also be handing out hot cider at the Gazebo during the parade itself. During the parade, the Student Council will also be fairly busy.
The president of the Student Council, Torin Strecker, plans to enter a float with other members and the advisor. “We’ll build our float and walk in the parade, handing out candy. This year is our second year participating.” Their float will be Grinch-themed, and they’ll be donating any funds to the Disabled Veterans of America. Starting at 5 pm, Deck the Falls will host a parade, so small businesses and organizations can drive floats across downtown. It’s a great experience for families, and oftentimes, candy is passed out. The floats are all decorated with trees, nutcrackers, or other festive decorations, and most people themselves will dress up.
After the parade, people will travel towards the Gazebo at the City Parking Lot; there, at 5:50 pm, a giant tree will light up. Traditionally, there are also fireworks once the tree lights up, and it’s a magical sight for anyone. Deck the Falls is a great experience for people, with many fundraisers and support for small businesses. Not all small towns have these events, and it truly shows the uniqueness of Cannon Falls. Regardless of whether they attend Deck the Falls, everyone will certainly be busy next weekend.
