Col. Falls plans yearly Christmas celebration
By NANCY KIMBALL
The Daily Inter Lake
Columbia Falls continues its long-standing tradition to kick off the Christmas season with Night of Lights on Dec. 1.
It will be "A Christmas Celebration" theme when the parade starts at 6:30 p.m. that Friday night.
Parade units will line up at 5 p.m. near the post office at the north end of Nucleus Avenue, then proceed south past the emcee's stand at First Citizens Bank where Karl Skindingsrude will announce participants and play music.
Judging for parade entries begins at 5:30 p.m.
Pick up parade entry forms at NAPA Auto Parts, The Moving Image, First Citizens Bank or Dr. Roger Newman's dental office. Santa and Mrs. Claus will ride into town on the final float of the parade, so others are asked to keep their designs to other holiday themes.
The Claus couple will meet children inside First Citizens Bank after the parade and hand out treats.
Everyone can go strolling for all manner of treats at the town's array of craft fairs and snack centers before and after the parade.
North Valley Senior Center will hold its craft fair and bake sale beginning at 9 a.m. that day in the senior citizens center just south of the post office. From 7 to 8 p.m., seniors will serve up a soup supper of chicken and dumplings or chili, along with rolls and desserts.
At the North Valley Community Center just south of there, the Columbia Falls Chamber of Commerce craft fair starts at 4 p.m. and runs until about 8 p.m. To reserve a space, call Chamber Executive Director Carol Pike at 892-2072.
Across the street, the Masonic Lodge will hold its craft fair and serve snacks in the basement of the Masonic hall. The craft fair starts about 4 p.m. Tables are for rent at $10 each, but space is limited. Call Jim Ryan at 892-1629. The Masons also will sell snacks, chili dogs and coffee - and offer a place to warm up after the parade.
Another special event for the evening will take revelers to Marantette Park on U.S. 2 immediately after the parade for the official lighting of the Children's Holiday Village.
An extensive array of storybook characters, Christmas themes and winter scenes will be displayed across the lawn at the city park south and east of Nucleus Avenue. A committee of Chamber of Commerce elves has been sprucing up the displays and adding new items to the village.
It will stay lighted each night throughout the Christmas season, offering families a chance to stroll through the winter wonderland at will.
Reporter Nancy Kimball may be reached at 758-4483 or by e-mail at nkimball@dailyinterlake.com