Here come more holiday festivities
Photos by LOREN BENOIT/Press Justin Fyfe with the city of Rathdrum helps set up the city’s Christmas tree Wednesday morning in preparation for Rathdrum’s December D’Lights this Saturday on Main Street from 4 to 7 p.m.
Cassidy McCoy with the city of Hayden helps string lights around the Christmas tree in the McIntire Park on Monday.
Justin Fyfe with the City of Rathdrum strings thistle around the city's Christmas tree Wednesday morning. (LOREN BENOIT/Press)
Employees for the City of Hayden string lights around a Christmas Tree in McIntire Park in preparation for the city's annual Hayden Lights Parade & Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony on Saturday. (LOREN BENOIT/Press)
Bill Davis with the City of Hayden wraps lights around a Christmas Tree in McIntire Park on Monday in preparation for the city's annual Hayden Lights Parade &Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony on Dec 1. (LOREN BENOIT/Press)
Communities throughout North Idaho are lighting up for the holidays with parades, tree-lighting ceremonies and other festivities.
Here are some of the activities planned:
- RATHDRUM — The Parks and Recreation Department and Chamber of Commerce will present December D'Lights this Saturday on Main Street from 4 to 7 p.m.
The schedule includes: Kids crafts and face painting at City Hall at 4 p.m.; hot cocoa and Santa and Mrs. Claus at Bell Tower Funeral Home, 4 p.m.; and a tree-lighting ceremony led by Mayor Vic Holmes at 5 p.m., followed by a parade.
"There will also be fire pits with s'mores, horse carriage rides and a downtown decorating contest between all the businesses," said Eric Singer, parks and recreation director.
The parade will start at Mountain View High School and continue to the end of Main Street.
Boarding passes for the horse-drawn wagon rides will be available starting at 3:30 p.m. at the Bookmobile on McCartney Street.
All activities are free.
- HAYDEN — The city will hold its annual Hayden Lights Parade and Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony at McIntire Family Park, 8930 North Government Way, on Saturday.
The parade starts at 5 p.m. at Hayden Avenue and will proceed south on Government Way to Honeysuckle Avenue.
For the best view of the parade, stand along the east side of Government Way.
Government Way will be closed to traffic from 4:55 to 5:45 p.m. on the parade route.
Free hot chocolate, coffee and cookies will be available at the McIntire Family Park gazebo beginning at 4:30 p.m.
The tree-lighting ceremony will follow the parade at McIntire Family Park.
Entertainment will include musical presentations by the Atlas and Hayden Meadows Elementary choruses and there will be games for kids.
For more information, call 208-209-1080.
- POST FALLS — The Parks and Recreation Department will present the free Winterfest on Friday, Dec. 7, from 6 to 8 p.m. at City Hall.
There will be Christmas caroling, games, crafts, refreshments, a visit from Santa, tree-lighting ceremony and marshmallow roasting.
The Chamber of Commerce's third annual Post Fallidays Tiny Tree Festival and Brunch will be Saturday, Dec. 8, from 10 a.m. to noon at Red Lion Templin's Hotel. Tickets are $30 and can be purchased at www.postfallschamber.com or by calling 208-773-5016.
Raffle tickets for a 7.5-foot decorated tree with hundreds of dollars worth of gifts are on sale now for $5 each or five for $20 and the winning ticket will be drawn at the event. You do not need to be present to win.
- COEUR d’ALENE — The free Winter Market will be held Saturday, Dec. 8, at the Jacklin Building at the Kootenai County Fairgrounds from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Music will be provided by Bill Bozly.
- ATHOL — There will be cocoa and cookies with Santa this Saturday from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Athol Community Center. There will also be a Christmas market at the center from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday.
A Christmas tree lighting festival at City Hall will take place Saturday, Dec. 8, at 5 p.m. The event, which will run until 8 p.m., will also feature letters to Santa, an appearance by Santa, free chili and hot dogs, games, face painting, a build-an-ornament activity and cards for veterans.
- ST. MARIES — Christmas in St. Maries runs from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. this Saturday on Main. The parade starts at 5 p.m.
The event also includes craft fairs, fire pits and a letters-to-Santa writing station.
- SPIRIT LAKE — Spirit Lake Visions Inc. will have crafts, cookies and cocoa for kids at the senior center this Saturday from 1 to 3 p.m. Santa will also attend.
A parade on Maine Street will be held Saturday, Dec. 8, at 5 p.m. Mrs. Claus will be at Brickle Creek Coffee at the corner of Maine and Highway 41 at 4 p.m.
- WORLEY — The Coeur d'Alene Tribe's Winter Blessing, a free night of traditional tribal storytelling and dance exhibitions, will be held tonight at the Coeur d'Alene Casino from 6 to 7:30.