Celebrating Christmas in Siouxland, Le Mars

A number of communities in the Siouxland area are celebrating the Christmas season and Le Mars, Iowa is again hosting a Lighted Parade as well as a Christmas Village where parade attendees and others can go for hot drinks and cookie treats, listen to live music, ride in light decorated wagons and spend a nice evening.

This year’s celebration was warmer than other years but it was also drizzling a bit which put some chill in the air. But people turned out for the parade downtown and the wet pavement made for some nice photos and added to ambiance. When shooting various events at night, I am all for whatever ambient light is available and the wet pavement was an added bonus, even if the air temp was colder.

Jerry Mennenga

Sioux City, Iowa

A lighted covered wagon ride at the Christmas Village at the fairgrounds in Le Mars, Iowa, Saturday, Dec. 3, 2016. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

Various Christmas themed floats appear in the Lighted parade downtown in Le Mars, Iowa, Saturday, Dec. 3, 2016. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

Santa racing through the Lighted Parade downtown to get to his next destination in Le Mars, Iowa, Saturday, Dec. 3, 2016. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

Gehlen Catholic High School float during the Lighted Parade downtown in Le Mars, Iowa, Saturday, Dec. 3, 2016. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

Bicyclists light up their rides as they participate in the Lighted Parade downtown in Le Mars, Iowa, Saturday, Dec. 3, 2016. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

Christmas themed Lighted Parade floats downtown in Le Mars, Iowa, Saturday, Dec. 3, 2016. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

Snacks, decorated Christrmas trees and live music await visitors at the Christmas Village at the fairgrounds in Le Mars, Iowa, Saturday, Dec. 3, 2016. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

The Le Mars Flute Choir perform at the Christmas Village at the fairgrounds in Le Mars, Iowa, Saturday, Dec. 3, 2016. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

Wagon rides and Santa elves photo boards at the Christmas Village at the fairgrounds in Le Mars, Iowa, Saturday, Dec. 3, 2016. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

Family portraits at the Christmas Village at the fairgrounds in Le Mars, Iowa, Saturday, Dec. 3, 2016. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)