Passion lives on

Vince and Virginia Peterson shared two passions in life: the Waseca County Free Fair and their Christmas lights display.

Vince served on the Waseca County Fair Board for 57 years; each July he and Virginia managed the indoor booths at the annual gathering, taking charge of everything from finding new businesses and organizations who wanted to set up displays to finding the best place to locate them. Half the year later, on December evenings, Vince and Virginia delighted in turning out the lights inside their farmhouse just off Highway 13 north of New Richland to watch long lines of cars drive slowly by, filled with families who had come to see the extensive Christmas lights display which included a Ferris wheel, Santa's workshop, an organ player, a Nativity scene, merry-go-round, trees, and much more. Each year the Petersons added something new, and each year part of their Christmas budget involved replacing burned-out bulbs.

After Virginia passed away in 2004, Vince continued their yuletide tradition until his own health began to fail. He and a neighbor, Jennie Johnson, who also serves as a director of the Waseca County Fair, had discussed setting up a Christmas light display at the county fairgrounds, but concluded they did not have the resources to do it.

In the summer of 2020, the Waseca County Fair awarded Peterson with a plaque for his 57 years of service on the board. That August, Vince passed away at the age of 89.

It was a fitting tribute to Vince and a heartwarming holiday celebration last Christmas when the fair board and community businesses took up the challenge of arranging a Christmas display at the fairgrounds. “We knew that he loved Christmas and he loved the fair,” Johnson said, “and when he passed away we knew we had to do it.”

As is suited to the size of the Petersons’ legacy, the tribute continues this year.

The displays at the fairgrounds include several that once graced the Peterson farm. When he no longer felt able to continue setting up the lights, Peterson auctioned off his displays. Some of them were purchased by the fair board. Some were purchased by individuals, such as Diane Lewer, whose daughter, Bobbi Holtz, donated the bell display her mother had purchased to the Waseca County Fair. Peterson had a display that read, “Greetings from the Petersons.” This display, which Johnson purchased, now reads, “Greetings from the WCFF.” Those for whom visiting the Peterson farm was a family tradition will remember the display reading, “Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus.” This, too, can now be viewed at the fairgrounds, courtesy of Johnson.

New, additional displays have also been furnished by local businesses and organizations.

Live displays and festive lights will be lit at the Waseca County Fairgrounds, 409 Eighth Ave. NE Friday and Saturday evenings, Dec. 2 to 10 from 6 to 10 p.m. Guests can either walk or drive through. There is no admission fee to see the displays. However, donations are being accepted for local food shelves, and Boy Scout Troop 85 and Cub Scout Pack 86 are accepting donations of toiletries, diapers and cleaning supplies at their light displays.

“We just want people to come and drive through and enjoy them,” said Johnson. 

The Waseca County Free Fair board intends to keep putting up the display each year. Next year, the light show promises to be even more impressive as other businesses add displays.