Mayor Matt Montgomery welcomed residents to the 30th annual Deck the Falls celebration in Cannon Falls, thanking volunteer organizers and sponsors and announcing the tree-lighting and fireworks that would close the evening. "Without them today and tonight would not be possible," Montgomery said as he introduced the night's program and sponsors.

The event, organized by the local chamber, featured carnival rides (organizers said Gold Star Amusement will return this year), music and a downtown window-decorating contest. Montgomery announced Looking Good Salon as the contest winner and said the chamber would give away $500 in Chamber dollars that evening to attendees and supporters.

Montgomery used the gathering to recognize Altaf Hardware, which he said closed that day after 92 years in business. "After 92 remarkable years, Altaf Hardware closed their doors just today," he said, expressing the community's gratitude for the store's long service to downtown Cannon Falls. The announcement was framed as a community acknowledgement rather than a formal municipal action.

Prize drawings were handled onstage by a Santa impersonator. Names called for Chamber-dollar awards included Emily Iverson, Katie Lundell, Matt Espinosa, Presley Winchell, Kayson Lindahl and Paul Adi. Organizers announced the 50/50 raffle pot at $868; the winning ticket was later claimed by an attendee identified onstage as Jared, who collected the $868 prize.

Organizers also acknowledged individuals and groups who supported the event, naming Deck the Falls committee members (Kelly Whitnall Miller, Mark Schopfist, Shelby Ekstrom, Abby Endress, Jeff Sampson and Maggie Rosen) and thanking the Cannon Falls Public Works Department for installing downtown lights, Riverwood Community Church for serving hot chocolate, and volunteer parade and equipment donors. A long list of sponsoring businesses was read aloud, including Nelson Insurance, Mesa Spring Garden Mutual Insurance, Cannon Falls Fire Department, Community Resource Bank and Mayo Clinic Health System.

The evening closed with organizers asking the crowd to join a countdown for the tree-lighting, followed directly by fireworks. Maggie, identified by an emcee as the chamber chair who has overseen multiple community events and is stepping down from that role this year, received special thanks from organizers.

Organizers said the event is part of an ongoing effort to produce more activities and support downtown businesses; no municipal votes or formal council actions were announced during the event.