Riva Sharples | Editor
It’s the holiday season, and for many area residents, as well as those living further away, there’s one unique way to get into the holiday spirit, and that’s with a visit to the Nora Store Christmas Celebration.
For the past 36 years, store owner and rural Alcester resident Mike Pedersen has hosted the Christmas celebration at Nora Store. The tiny general store, which hasn’t sold a thing since 1962, has been spreading holiday cheer and good, old-fashioned Christmas fun for decades. Last year, the famous little store Christmas celebration was even featured on CBS News’ Good Morning program, during which news anchors in New York marveled at Pedersen and the wholesomeness of small towns as they introduced the story.
The historic Nora Store, built as a general store in 1907, is located in the town of Nora, population 2, located south and west of Alcester on 307th Street.
Pedersen continues to keep Nora on the map and in the news with his annual Christmas celebrations.
It all began nearly 41 years ago when Pedersen purchased the old store building and then restored a pipe organ located there. Once the organ was restored, Pedersen began hosting Christmas celebrations at the store. To his surprise, the annual event soon became an important part of Christmas traditions for many, and he has continued hosting the sing-along Christmas celebrations for 36 years.
Through three and a half decades, thousands of people have visited Nora Store to participate in the simple, old-fashioned Christmas celebrations that Pedersen hosts. Pedersen, a host extraordinaire, holds the Christmas carol sing-alongs during the weekends leading up to Christmas and during weekdays in December for special groups.
This season, catch some holiday spirit at tthe Nora Store Christmas event from now until December 21. The event is held on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sunday evenings at 6:00 pm, as well as on Sunday afternoons at 1 p.m. Small groups may book a private event during the week. Call for details at (605) 670-1455.