by Doug was spending the night in Luverne, Minnesota (sans Jennifer) and decided to take a walk. He noticed a nutcracker –– the figurative doll kind, not the kitchen utensil. Then he noticed another. And another.
That’s because Luverne is home to more nutcrackers than people. And they’re proud of it – the interstate billboard boasts that the town is “Jaw Dropping.” It’s clear that the town has embraced its new identity.
It all started when local Betty Mann started collecting them. She tends to go a little overboard with her collecting habits, and over 15 years –– averaging an acquisition of one every other day –– she had amassed more than 2,500 of them. She decided to donate them to the local history museum, to spice things up a little.
Soon others were bringing them in, and the history center set a goal: to have more nutcrackers in Luverne than people. With a population almost 5,000, the goal was easily surpassed – with more help from Betty, who says she can’t help herself.
Besides standalone art installations of nutcrackers throughout the town, many local businesses have erected their own nutcrackers on the front of the doorways. Everyone from hardware stores to doctors; offices got in with the project!
Unfortunately, Doug was not able to visit the museum, but I’ve got it on our list to go back –– after all, the town is currently installing the world’s largest nutcracker statue, a whopping 65 feet tall! In the meantime, Christmas is a time for nutcrackers, so here’s a preview of what the town has to offer.
