The Blaine County Journal News-Opinion - We've Got The County Covered

Get ready to kick off the holiday season this year with the 31st Annual Parade of Lights and 6th Annual Festival of Trees! This year, there will be a few changes to the event to help streamline events and increase safety.

The Parade of Lights will begin in front of Meadowlark Elementary as usual – line up starts at 5:30 pm. Everyone is welcome to bring a float for the parade and we encourage businesses and families to join in the fun, so get your creative ideas flowing and be sure to get entered to win! First place float will win $200, second is $100, and third is $75. It costs $10 to register for the parade and you can register at the line up the night of. The city asks that you DO NOT throw candy or toys to spectators during the parade as it can be unsafe for children to run after thrown items. If you want to give out toys or candy, you may do so as long as you are handing the items out by walking rather than throwing them from floats.

The Festival of Trees silent auction will be held from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. in the lobby of First Bank of Montana. Refreshments provided by the Chinook Area Chamber of Commerce and Garden Club of Chinook will be available while you peruse the entered trees, baskets, and wreaths. This year, to ease the process of moving the trees and increase the space available for attendees, the trees will be moved to a heated tent set up just south of First Bank. At 7:15 p.m. the live auction will begin with the first bid for each item being the highest silent auction bid. The Chamber of Commerce will be hosting a new "Dessert Bar" featuring festive holiday cookies, candies, chocolate fondue and more! So be sure to join us and enjoy a decadent dessert and holiday refreshments, where free-will donations will be graciously accepted.

If you want to enter a donation into the auction, it's not too late! Set up for the Festival started on Monday at First Bank but entries will be accepted up until the day of the festival. Contact Carol DePriest at 406-357-3870 if you would like to enter. Anyone can donate a tree, wreath, or basket and your donations are tax deductible as the chamber is a 501(c) 6 non-profit organization. It is a great way to get exposure as the trees are a premier display during the event and viewed by hundreds of people from around the area. Whether you are advertising for your business, helping to promote an organization, showcasing your children's creativity, or simply decorating a tree/wreath for yourself or your family, you'll be proud to be part of this exciting fundraising event.

As always, the Chinook Area Chamber of Commerce hosts the Festival of Trees to raise money for different projects in our community. This year's donations will go towards purchasing and installing pole banners that will be put on Main Street and the highway, welcoming visitors to Chinook, and showcasing the infamous "Chinook Sugarbeeter". These signs will increase the street appeal of our town to help increase interest and commerce. Businesses can also sponsor signs with their logo. Contact the Chamber of Commerce for details at 406-357-7483 or email info@chinookmontana.com.

For the Christmas Stroll, there will be vendors at Wallner Hall, a nice heated facility just east of Wells Fargo Bank, as well as some on Main Street. Weather permitting, the vendors will be welcome to setup outside as well. Enjoy Christmas music as you stroll through town checking out the festivities and shopping. The annual Taco Feed at the Chinook Eagles will be from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. and will be followed by a dynamic and entertaining performance by the Smokey Bluez band starting at 9 p.m. Their playlist spans a mix of the best of rock, country, and blues that will get anyone out on the dance floor!

Other events of the day will include kid's sled races and horse drawn wagon rides (weather permitting), pictures with Santa at Wells Fargo Bank, Polar Express story time and bell choir performance at the Blaine County Library, as well as both museums open for visitors.

To find out more about the Parade of Lights, visit http://www.chinookmontana.com. Please join in the fun and help keep the fun and festive tradition alive.