The free drive-by show began at 4 p.m. Saturday.

Vehicles entered the fairgrounds from the Franklin Street gate, drove through the grounds and exited on 12 North Street. Within the first 90 minutes, over 200 cars had passed through.

The fairgrounds were decorated with a variety of lights. This year several new light displays were acquired for the show including a lit-up Ferris wheel, carousel and light fountain.

Hacker Tree Farm donated enough trees to create a Christmas forest on the fairgrounds. The Christmas scene was made complete with a miniature snowstorm courtesy of a snowmachine donated by River Valley Dutchmen.

Staff photos by Clay Schuldt The light displays at the fairgrounds were expanded this year. The most notable additions were the fair theme decorations

Populating the Christmas wonderland were a variety of Christmas characters. Krampus, the Grinch and his dog Max were the first to greet vehicles. Next on the drive-thru tour was a small herd of reindeer. Santa and Mrs. Claus greeted each vehicle before it left the fairgrounds.

The Drive-Thru Santa Experience started last year during the pandemic. Kelsie Hauser had organized a New Ulm Tour of Lights last year during the pandemic. She also reached out to her mother Cindy Hauser, Brown County Fair vice president about utilizing the fairgrounds for a Christmas event.

After partnering with community organizations and businesses, the Santa drive-thru event was created and was extremely popular. In 2020, the line of vehicles waiting to get in stretched around the block. Entire families spent a half an hour inside their vehicles to see Santa and the Christmas lights. The event was so well received it was brought back again this year.

Cindy Hauser said it is something they would like to continue doing as an annual tradition. Anyone looking to donate to next year’s Christmas drive-through can send funds to Po Box 221, New Ulm, MN.

Hauser said it takes a lot of work to set up the event but it is worth it to see the happy faces on children as they come through.

The Grinch greets visitors at the start of the Santa Drive-thru event at the Brown County Fairgrounds, Saturday evening.