Mysterious decorations showing up around North Idaho
Photos by TYLER WILSON Mysterious decorations like these giant candles are appearing in several neighborhoods across the area.
These snowman displays popped up on the lawn of Coeur d’Alene resident Steve Trevor without explanation.
Diana Prince discovered this Santa Claus-themed balloon on top of her roof the day after Thanksgiving.
Diana Prince doesn’t know the jolly, rotund man living on her roof.
“I went to bed on Thanksgiving night, and the next morning he was there. Staring at me. Judging me,” Prince said.
The seven-foot Santa Claus balloon on her roof appeared out of nowhere. She didn’t buy or install it, and none of her friends or family know anything about it.
“It’s the magic of Christmas, I guess, but it’s still pretty creepy,” she said.
Prince, who lives on Themyscira Road in Coeur d’Alene, isn’t the only person in her neighborhood to have festive decorations randomly appear. In fact, several residents around Kootenai County have reported mysterious light displays and blow-up yard decorations, including Steve Trevor, who found three massive snowman light displays in his front yard one morning last week.
“I’ve seen some crazy stuff in my life… illuminating lassos and whatnot, but this is just crazy,” Trevor said.
Barbara Minerva has a theory. She lives in downtown Coeur d’Alene and frequently wanders down to The Coeur d’Alene Resort to watch families board the “Journey to the North Pole” holiday light cruises that depart from the Boardwalk.
“The elves are sneaking off the boats late at night and distributing decorations,” Minerva said. “I saw it with my own eyes. They installed a giant cheetah balloon on my back deck. I don’t know what cheetahs have to do with Christmas, but maybe the elves have extra displays from the North Pole?”
The Journey to the North Pole cruises are unique to North Idaho, as it’s the only way for regular citizens to safely visit Santa’s workshop. The details are unclear, but there seems to be magic involved.
Officials with both The Resort’s holiday cruises and Santa Co. refused to answer The Press’ questions about the mysterious decorations around town.
“Elves are not allowed to wander off the boat and into Coeur d’Alene, and I’m not aware of any incidents where that’s happened,” said cruise spokesperson Veronica Cale.
“We have a lot of extra decorations, and we never know what to do with them, but no, we prefer to stay at the Pole,” said Etta Candy, head elf #WW2-1984 with Santa Co.
Residents are encouraged to take their families on a Journey to the North Pole and report back any new revelations about the light display at the North Pole and any possible connections to the mysterious decorations. See more than 1.5 million twinkling holiday lights and visit Santa Claus at his waterfront toy workshop at the North Pole. Santa will also provide a personal status update to local children concerning the Naughty and Nice lists.
Boarding for the 40-minute cruise takes place at The Resort Plaza Shops. Families are encouraged to arrive 40 minutes prior to departure time. Cruises departs nightly through Jan. 1 at 5:30, 6:30 and 7:30 p.m.
Tickets are $22.25 for adults, $21.25 for seniors 55 and older, and $7.50 for children ages 6-12. Add a dollar to each price point for cruises Friday-Sunday. Children ages 5 and under are free.
Go to CdaResort.com for tickets and more information.