In the first weekend in December Black River Falls hosted a winter festival.

On December 3 and 4 community members from around Jackson County gathered at the second annual Christkindl Festival. Among the activities was the crowning of the 2010-2011 Christkindl and Father Christmas.

“I filled out the application that was available in the guidance office,” said junior Samantha Swenson.

Swenson was crowned as the new Christkindl at the 2010 festival along with the new Father Christmas, Brian Lemke of Alma Center.

“I didn’t know him beforehand, but I found him on Facebook,” said Swenson.

The application process was fairly simple for applicants.

“After I sent in my application, I was called for an interview the week before Thanksgiving. It was at the Chamber of Commerce with Barb Brower,” said Swenson.

The idea behind the interview was to know how much knowledge the applicant knew about the Black River Falls area.

“She [Brower] asked me about myself and what places I like in Black River,” said Swenson.

There are many people confused about who Christkindl is and what the festival is all about.

“She is a Christmas fairy who delivers gifts to children and decorates houses at night,” said Swenson.

Christkindl and Father Christmas will have various obligations throughout the upcoming year.

“We will be volunteering, visiting at the nursing home, helping at the library and at Project Christmas; and we will be in some parades,” said Swenson.

Exciting new events will fill the next year for Swenson and Lemke.

“I’ve never done something like this before, but I’m enjoying it so far,” said Swenson.