Do you know why Weihnachtsfest began in Manning?
In the late 1970s, the price of farmland soared in Iowa and the Midwest in general.
Many farmers saw land as a good investment, until the bottom fell out on the price of farm land during the early 1980s, with many farmers being forced to declare bankruptcy.

Now the non-agricultural states and large cities didn't feel this downtrend, but Iowa and other predominantly agricultural states were hemorrhaging, with people leaving the little rural towns like Manning and rural states like Iowa to the big cities to find jobs.

Something had to be done so congress created a farm bill that was to last for 10 years...It was necessary for that time, but like pretty much all government programs, they never end and grow exponentially...now 30+ years later the farm program is bigger than ever, and in my opinion has destroyed the ability of the family farm to exist much longer.

During the early 1980s, 1/3 or more of the buildings on Main Street between Third and Fourth Streets were empty...
Something had to be done - or the community of Manning was in big trouble...so a number of citizens came up with an idea to promote tourism and since Manning was predominantly of German ancestry - the idea of having an annual Weihnachtsfest in Manning was born...

For 10 years the celebration grew, with multiple days and amazing entertainment, both from within Manning and out of town.

As the rural economy recovered and the barren buildings had new businesses in them, Weihnachtsfest became less involved to where it was just 1 day a year, BUT it served its initial purpose and now no Main Street buildings are empty - for very long.
So even though this event isn't what it once was, it should still be supported so it can remind us where the town once was in the late 1970s & early 1980s.


First annual Weihnachtsfest


Weihnachtsfest 2022 in Manning, Iowa

Friday, November 25, 2022 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Join us on Main Street in Manning, Friday November 25th! There will be food, kid's activities, lighted parade, shopping, and most importantly Santa will be here to visit with the kids!
Schedule:
5:45 pm - Community Band plays on Accura front porch
6:00 pm - Lighted Parade down Main Street
Following the Parade:
Visit Santa at the Market Place
Horse drawn carriage rides
Cookie Decorating at Main Street office
Hayrides around town
Book Walk at Library
Visit Live Reindeer
7:00 pm VFW Auxiliary Quilt Auction


Click to see the original flier