FAIRBURY – The countdown to Christmas 2024 in Fairbury officially began on Friday night with the city’s 13th annual Miracle on the Square event downtown.  

The event unofficially opened when the guest of honor, Santa Claus himself, and his entourage arrived via carriage just before 5 PM. Later, once the sun went down, many businesses around the square stayed open late and decked their halls with some fitting festive adornments.  

On a mild though not quite silent night, folks got to prance around the downtown square on a horse-drawn carriage; parade through the Festival of Trees in the courthouse; listen to some in-season music courtesy of the Fairbury community band; and meet up in person with some famous holiday characters, like Frosty the Snowman and the Grinch provided by people associated with all different levels of Apace/Region V Services. And, of course, kids got to say hello to Santa and Mrs. Claus.  

Just around the block inside a much warmer On The Bricks, the celebration continued with activities aplenty, including crafts, coloring, blocks and rings, and a live photo booth.  

This is just one of many holiday-themed events around the city and the region taking place this month, as the folks here seek to bring the festive season to Southeast Nebraska and beyond.