The first snow of the season transformed the Scandinavian Heritage Park in Minot into a winter wonderland, adding to the magic of the Christmas tree lights, Christmas carolers and festive characters roaming the park.

Families, married couples, high school sweethearts and more gathered at the park for the countdown to turn on the park lights for the winter season. A chorus of voices joined in the countdown at 6 p.m. when sections of the park lit up one by one.

Minot mom Jenn Bailey was at the event with her 11-year-old Henry. Bailey was happy to come to the heritage park celebration because of her family’s Finnish ancestry.

“It’s fun to come to these things because it’s affordable,” she said. “It’s really accessible.”

Audin Rhodes/MDN Cole Moton, left, and Bowen Bryers,members of the 91st Missile Maintenance Squadron at Minot Air Force Base, escorted Santa Claus to the Scandinavian Heritage Park on Saturday.

Henry was most excited to run into friends at the celebration and see the lights.

Many children like Henry were running around the park and taking full advantage of the snow. Three small boys were building snowmen and throwing snowballs and a little girl was “sledding” down the Gol Stave Church Museum hill by sliding down on her snow pants while other children simply rolled down.

For parents Karl Berkley and Blanca Forrest, it was their daughter Emry’s first time coming to the Scandinavian Heritage Park. Emry is 17 months old and was bundled up and smiling while her dad pulled her around the park in a wagon. The family drove over from Burlington and were excited to be part of the festive fun for the first time.

“This is Emry’s second Christmas but it’s her first time being around all the lights and things,” Berkley said. Berkley believes free events like this one are important for bringing the community together to share in the Christmas spirit.

The Christmas spirit of the night was further enriched by the Christmas caroling of the Minot State University Choral Society. The group sang classic tunes for the community such as “Jingle Bells” and “Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer.”

Audin Rhodes/MDN Maxden Vereen, 5, along with countless other children, had a chance to drop off their letters to Santa at the Light Up the Scandinavian Heritage Park event Saturday. Pictured is Maxden with his father Stephen Vereen.

“It’s an MSU club, but it’s for the people who can’t be in the choral programs,” said Jasmine Rogers, club president.

Rogers explained the club is for students who love singing and love choir but who are not majoring in music or who do not have time to be more involved with the choral programs at MSU.

The club officially launched in August of this year. There are currently 26 members in the club and club members are able to be flexible with their commitments depending on what other activities or classes they’re involved in.

The group sang while folks meandered the park, grabbing hot chocolate and goodie bags along the way.

Whimsical winter characters were also stationed at each main structure of the park, including Olaf from “Frozen,” the Norsk Hostfest’s Oskar the Troll and the Grinch. Children knocked on the doors of each building until the characters came out to celebrate in the fun.

Last but not least, Santa Claus (Kevin Burckhard) was escorted to the park by members of the 91st Missile Maintenance Squadron from Minot Air Force Base. Santa listened to children’s wishes and topped off the evening with the perfect amount of jolly goodwill.