Just over six weeks — this is all the time you have left to prepare for the holidays, Moody County, and if you could use a little inspiration, you may want to swing through Flandreau this weekend.
Thursday, a weekend of Christmas cheer and fun kicks off with the Flandreau Flower Shoppe’s annual Christmas Celebration. Festivities at the Flower Shoppe continue through Saturday.
Also on Saturday, Santa’s Holiday Mall returns to the Janklow Community Center with 43 vendors. The event runs from 9:00 a.m. through 2:00 p.m. and Santa will be returning for photos from 11:00 a.m. through noon.

The Holiday Mall will feature a number of unique craft and homemade item vendors. Joining them will be local business owners selling tried and true product lines such as Origami Owl, Mary and Martha, 31 Bags, Tupperware, and Norwex, to name a few.
“We believe strongly in our hometown and want to promote and offer things for our community to join and be a part of by attending or having a place to showcase their talent!” said organizers Deb Feske and Tammy Stenger.
They added that they choose a local event or program to donate proceeds to after the event. This year they will support the decorating of the downtown park on Main Street. They also plan to support The Breadbasket with additional funds.
Lunch will be served by the National Honor Society. There will also be make-and-take crafts by the Happy Youngsters 4-H Group
Weather permitting, Sioux River Spirits and Mercantile (The Merc, and a disclaimer, this editor’s downtown business) will be hosting a fall festival of its own starting at 1:00 p.m. with horse-drawn wagon rides (weather permitting), a pop-up boutique with Rustic Country Co, Fadeaways Food Truck, and live music throughout the day.
Later Saturday afternoon, the Moody County Historical Society will be hosting a Museum Open House from 11:00 a.m. - 4 p.m. Visitors will have the chance to meet Museum staff and board members and explore the exhibits. Free refreshments will be provided along with activities for children.