What's coming up in Valentine, Nebraska? Things to be thankful for!!!

We've had an amazing fall...which is leading us into all that there is to be thankful for! We're thankful for all of the communities in the Sandhills who are going to usher in Thanksgiving and Christmas with a bevy of activities.

We'd love for you to participate! First up, this little poem...

Yes, Holiday Preview will be held in Valentine, Nebraska, Sunday, November 22, from 1:00 - 5:00 p.m., and Santa will be at Viaero from 1:00 - 4:00 p.m.

You'll want to capture the spirit of Christmas of course! And it will be in all the shops!!!

Whether they're on Valentine's Main Street or not....the spirit will be there!

Remember, you have a week to fill out your punch card for the Valentine Chamber of Commerce's $500 give-a-way, so

S-L-O-W D-O-W-N!!!!!

Dean from Valentine's Chamber of Commerce will gather the punch cards Saturday, November 28, and announce the winner at noon!!!

Be sure to stick around, because that's when the inaugural Valentine's Heart of Christmas celebration  will take place! Oh the fun you'll have watching floats adorned with lights head down Main Street!

No matter the weather, the parade will end at Fifth Street, so everyone can stay warm! Santa will be coming back to town with the parade and his headquarters will be at the co-op on the corner of Main and First Street. Mrs. Claus will be there as well which means....cookies!!

Stop what you're doing and come enjoy the lights of Christmas, Saturday, November 28!! More and more activities are being added; stop by their Facebook page: Valentine's Heart of Christmas Celebration to catch up!

Art will be on display in the old theatre building, refreshments, drawing for a quilt created especially for this event by Yvonne Hollenbeck!

The United Methodist Church will have a live nativity and is hosting a spaghetti feed with a free will donation from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m.

Then, Saturday, December 12, will be the Bowring Christmas celebration in Merriman, NE! Diane and her crew serve up the best meal, and the Twin River Band will be entertaining after Santa makes his arrival! More details on that to come!

Not sure what to expect? It's a new family every year...and if you came alone, then you will leave with new friends!

See...there are a lot of things to be thankful for...great communities, values, fun, activities, and the love of Christmas' Spirit!

Let our sponsors help you with your four season, family fun, vacation plans!!! Trade Winds Lodge, can help you with accommodations, and you can get excellent food to go at Henderson's IGA. 

Why not get a gift certificate for a trip Niobrara National Scenic River with  Brewers Canoers and Tubers ?

Nim-Rods Bait Store has all you could ever need or want for your fishing excursion - poles, live bait, bobbers, jigs, hooks, and plenty of refreshments - there will be ice shortly! Berry Creek Gun and Pawn Shop, has everything you could ever want in the way of firearms, ammo, and reloading supplies - conveniently located right down the street from The Quilting Cupboard, which has western prints, wool, cotton and batik fabric, along with patterns from Fear Not Pattern Co perfect little projects for this season! 

For a one of a kind gift that is uniquely yours, head over to Outback Screenprinting and Embroidery at their new location!!!. 

The Valentine Chamber of Commerce has a plethora of brochures that will have you coming back this fall... make sure you stop by and pick some up today!

Remember...the Sandhills are your four season, family fun, ticket 4 Adventure....come find out why at SandhillsWesternVacations.com!!! And while you're here for Thanksgiving and Christmas celebrations, remember, there's a lot more coming up! Stay tuned...we welcome you and your family!!!

How about the gift of Christmas at the Arthur Bowring Ranch?

Get  into the spirit!! There will be a fabulous meal, great music, dancing, and you can be sure, a new friend at the end of the night when you attend Christmas at the Bowring in Merriman, NE. 

Get your tickets early...they do sell out quickly. Diane Burress makes a fabulous dinner with all the fixin's, and if you're good... Santa just might make an appearance.

Christmas at the Bowring Ranch will be held December 13, 2014, at 6:00 Mountain Time - different than Central Time. You will need to reserve your tickets NOW...tickets will NOT be sold at the door. And you want to make sure there's a tasty Rib Eye Steak for you and your loved ones. 

You'll be able to dance to the music of the Twin River Band...play the video to get an idea of the evening that's in store for you. 

Reservations need to be made by December 11,  by calling the Arthur Bowring Ranch at 1-308-684-3428 or 1-308-684-3450. 

The Arthur Bowring Sandhills Ranch is a State Historical Park, located on North Highway 61, in Merriman. 

You'll have a wonderful, enjoyable, evening, which is a gift in itself. 

Enjoy all there is to offer in the Sandhills of Nebraska including our upcoming Holiday Preview Sunday, November 23! There are so many unique shops that will have something for everyone's Christmas gift list. Remember to visit the sponsors of SandhillsWesternVacations.com. They can help you with accommodations at Trade Winds Lodge, food at Henderson's IGA, a river trip gift certificate which will showcase the extraordinary diversity of the Niobrara National Scenic River at  Brewers Canoers and Tubers. There are unique, one of a kind, gifts galore that can be found at Berry Creek Gun and Pawn Shop, located right down the street from The Quilting Cupboard, which has patterns from Fear Not Pattern Co.. For a one of a kind gift that is uniquely yours, head over to Outback Screenprinting and Embroidery. Or visit them on-line and pick your items up while you're here.

There's plenty more to do and see while you're in the area. Your ticket to four season, family fun and Nebraska Adventure can be found at SandhillsWesternVacations.com ... enjoy the Reason for the Season!

SANTA IS COMING TO TOWN! Shop and win $$$

This Sunday from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. Santa will be at Heart City Dance in downtown Valentine to listen to the kids requests. And yes, Santa will even listen to what moms and dads want as well!

But that's not all! The shops downtown will have special hours and showcase their Christmas splendor! What does that mean? Valentine has an awesome family of shops...with gifts for everyone in your family.

And with a little bit of forethought, if they don't have the item you most want, they'll go above and beyond to get it here, in time, for you. Without leaving town!

Furthermore, shop owners, who know our families, can pass along that Dad was looking at the new drill, or mom wanted that sweater in pink. Takes the stress out of shopping - right!

Some of the shop owners may have treats, specials, and drawings. The Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring a shoppers contest. Get a card and take it to all the shops listed and have them stamped  by the shop and enter for a chance to win $$$$$$. 

But all this can only be done this Sunday, November 17, at Valentine's Holiday Preview.

Now is the time to believe in magic...wishes on millions of little stars and HIS miracles!