Enjoy a horse-drawn carriage ride in Manning Nov. 25. Photo: Main Street Manning.
A century ago, half of all Iowa farmers were of German descent, and most celebrated the holidays in Old World style. To see the tradition today, head to Weihnachtsfest on Nov. 25 in Manning, an Iowa Great Place in Carroll County.
The event starts with the community band and a lighted parade, followed by a flurry of festivities up and down Main Street. Visit Santa and his live reindeer, ride a horse-drawn carriage or hay rack, place a bid in the quilt auction, decorate cookies and—at least for a moment—imagine yourself in small-town Bavaria or Bremen. Frohliche Weihnachten!
