Area cities to usher in holidays this weekend
<p>Preston Hill, Post Falls' urban forester, left, and Bryan Bergstrom, maintenance supervisor, hang holiday decorations at Post Falls City Hall. Multiple area communities, including Post Falls, Rathdrum, Hayden, Spirit Lake and St. Maries, are planning celebrations this weekend.</p>
Communities throughout the area will usher in the Christmas season this weekend with parades, tree lightings, visits from Santa Claus and other festivities.
Here's a roundup of the events:
RATHDRUM
December D'Lights starts on Friday from 5 to 8 p.m. with hay rides from the library and a holiday stroll at the Lakeland Shopping Center on Highway 41.
There will be a tree lighting at the library at 5 p.m., followed by singing by the Lakeland High choir, art and appetizers. Hay ride boarding passes will be available at the library starting at 4 p.m.
"The businesses at the Lakeland Shopping Center are really getting involved this year," said Shanie Rountree of the chamber of commerce.
Stein's Market will have activities inside the store, including turkey bowling. Wells Fargo will have a fire pit with s'mores and hot chocolate.
On Saturday, the Main Street Faire will be from 2 to 5 p.m. and the Lighted Rig Parade at 5 p.m.
The Main Street Faire includes games, crafts, food and beverages, baking, ugly sweater and karaoke contests, singing, a chili cookoff, hay rides, a dash for cash at 2:30 p.m. and Santa and Mrs. Claus.
The ugly sweater contest is at 3:30 p.m. followed by the No Talent Christmas Karaoke Contest, a new addition this year, at 3:45 p.m.
"We will be encouraging people to get up and do their worst renditions of holiday tunes," said Shanie Rountree of the chamber of commerce.
Food donations to benefit the Rathdrum Food Bank will be accepted at the chamber of commerce and Adept Business Solutions.
Information: 687-2866
POST FALLS
Winterfest will be at City Hall from 6 to 8 p.m. on Friday.
The tree lighting is at 6:05 p.m., followed by performances by elementary school choirs inside the rotunda.
The reading of "'Twas the Night Before Christmas" will be in the council chambers at 6:45 p.m.
Santa is expected to arrive at 7:45 p.m.
There will be make-and-take crafts, cider and treats.
The city will kick off its Holiday Giving Tree. Bring non-perishable food items, unwrapped new toys, blankets, and new or gently used coats to support the Post Falls Food Bank.
HAYDEN
The parade will be at 5 p.m. Saturday on Government Way starting from Hayden Avenue and going south to Honeysuckle. For the best view, stand on the east side of the street.
The Christmas tree lighting ceremony will immediately follow the parade at Hayden City Park.
Free hot chocolate, coffee and cookies will be served in the Hayden City Park gazebo. Entertainment will include musical presentations by the Hayden Meadows and Atlas Elementary special choirs.
The Christmas tree will be lit by Mayor Ron McIntire with the assistance of local children.
Santa will listen to children's wishes in City Hall and pass out treats. Donations will be accepted for Toys for Tots.
Information: 209-1080
SPIRIT LAKE
Spirit Lake Senior Citizens Inc. is hosting a chili cookoff on Friday from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Spirit Lake Senior Center. Tickets are $5 and can be purchased at the center or at the door.
Proceeds will benefit the center's nutrition program.
Spirit Lake Visions, Inc. is sponsoring its Santa Claus is Coming to Town event on Saturday from 1 to 3 p.m. at the community and senior center, 32564 Fourth St.
Hot chocolate and cookies will be served and children can keep busy doing a craft while waiting for their turn to visit Santa.
For more information, call Verla Reed at 623-2275.
Spirit Lake Visions will also host its Gifts for Girls and Boys event on Saturday, Dec. 19, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the VFW hall on Highway 41.
Gifts for girls and boys up to 18 years old will be distributed, and there will also be an opportunity for children to shop for their parents at the Santa Shop.
Applications for the event may be obtained at the community/senior center, the Spirit Lake Food Bank on Fourth Street between Maine and New Hampshire streets and the Bubble Boy Boutique between Seventh Street and Maine.
Completed applications can be returned to the community/senior center on Mondays and Wednesdays, the food bank on Wednesdays and the Bubble Boy Boutique any day Monday through Saturday. All applications must be submitted prior to Dec. 16.
If a family has applied for the Toys for Tots campaign, the Spirit Lake event is only applicable for children 13 to 18 years old.
If a family is unable to attend the event, they can contact Joy Porter at 818-4792 to make other arrangements.
A donation to the Spirit Lake Food Bank is suggested.
ST. MARIES
Christmas in St. Maries on Saturday includes vendors and fire pits from 1 to 5 p.m. and a parade at 5 p.m. on Main Street. Santa will arrive on Main Street at 12:45 p.m.
There will also be craft fairs at the Eagles Lodge and Grub Box all day.
Horse-drawn wagon rides from the Grub Box and letters to Santa at The Paperhouse will both be held from 1 to 4 p.m.