For the past 10 years, Scott Knight of Knight Family Farms, which specializes in old-fashioned horse and buggy rides, has been offering buggy rides through downtown Excelsior to ring in the holiday season. Beginning during the annual Christkindlsmarkt event, which also includes delicious food and a variety of family-friendly activities, the rides are offered each Saturday leading up to Christmas.
“There’s no cost for the ride,” says Myrle Mackenzie, who organizes Christkindlsmarkt. “Scott simply asks that riders donate to a charity, which he decides upon each year.” This year’s charities are the ICA Food Shelf and the Waconia Food Shelf. Mackenzie says, during Christkindlsmarkt, it’s not unusual for Father Christmas himself to hitch a ride with families during their journeys down Water Street.
“It’s really a fun thing for kids and families alike,” Mackenzie says. “It’s a great way to get in the holiday spirit.”
Mackenzie says that with Kowalski’s now at the tip of Water Street, the route might change this year, although that hasn’t been officially determined yet. “Traditionally, the buggy rides always started at the Excelsior Mill, but the route might be a bit different this time around.” Check in with organizers when you arrive downtown.
