Christmas Stroll returns to Whitefish Dec. 10

Downtown Whitefish will be in full holiday regalia for the annual Whitefish Christmas Stroll this Friday, Dec. 10, from 5:30 to 9 p.m., with the lighting of the Depot Park Christmas trees, the arrival of Santa Claus in a horse-drawn wagon, street corner caroling, fire-dancing, juggling and much more.

There’ll be music by the Alpine Ringers handbell choir, a bagpiper, North Valley Music School, the Flathead Valley Community College Vocal Ensemble and other community groups, along with artists and crafters, food vendors and nonprofits set up on Central Avenue.

Don’t miss the frozen turkey bowling with StayMontana and the Pin n’ Cue, and plenty of fire pits to help keep you warm.

The winners of the annual Window Decorating Contest and the Gingerbread House Contest will be announced and kids can make a gingerbread cookie of their own at the Deaton & Company booth, or a one-of-a-kind Christmas ornament at Stumptown Art Studio.

King Ullr and the Winter Carnival Royalty will be on hand for the festivities, Santa will be doing “selfies” at FORLOH, and the Bar W Guest Ranch will offer free wagon rides around Depot Park throughout the evening. You can also pet a Clydesdale with the people from the Clydesdale Outpost, check-out the SnowBike Nation “Bike Cave,” and crawl through the cab of a Great Northern Powder Guides backcountry snowcat.

Strollers will also have a chance to win hundreds of dollars in prizes in the annual Shopper’s Drawings, simply by shopping (or dining) in Whitefish this coming week. Shoppers can exchange their receipts for raffle tickets at the Chamber Tent on Friday night (one ticket for every $20 spent), for a chance to win one of a half dozen great gift packages donated by local businesses.

The Whitefish Winter Stroll is presented by the Whitefish Chamber of Commerce and Century 21 Deaton & Company Real Estate. For more information, call 862-3501, or visit whitefish chamber.org.