A Happy Hayden Holiday Weekend
Parade-goers snap photos and take phone videos of Santa Claus as he waves to the crowds Saturday evening during the annual Hayden Lights Parade down Government Way. This year was Hayden’s biggest holiday parade yet, with 32 entries ringing in the yuletide season. (DEVIN WEEKS/Press)
Next weekend, the Hayden Chamber of Commerce will deliver some holiday spirit through its inaugural Outdoor European Christmas Market.
Inspired by the traditional Christkindlmarkts seen throughout Europe, the two-day, family-friendly event will be held at McIntire Park on Friday from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturday between 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Market attendees will enjoy:
• Antique and vintage items
• Homemade craft and gift vendors
• Food trucks with a European flair
• Pastries
• Hot spiced mulled wine, cider and hot cocoa
• Live music
• Father Christmas
Tickets cost $7 for both Friday and Saturday or $5 for Saturday only.
Contact Andrea Fulks at the chamber through andrea@haydenchamber.org for more information.
The Outdoor European Christmas Market coincides with the annual Hayden Lights Parade and Christmas Tree Lighting on Saturday. Together, the three events are sure to make even the grinch-iest scrooge feel jolly.
The parade starts at 5 p.m. from Hayden Avenue and will proceed south in the northbound lane of Government Way to Honeysuckle Avenue.
Government Way will be closed to the public between Hayden Avenue to Dakota Avenue from approximately 4 p.m. to 5:15 p.m. At about 4:15 p.m., side streets from Hayden to Honeysuckle Avenue will also close until parade floats have passed.
Businesses and organizations interested in participating in the parade can call the city of Hayden at 208-209-1080 or visit cityofhaydenid.us for an application. There is no cost to participate, and applications are being accepted through Monday, Nov. 29.
Immediately following the parade, community members can join the Skyway Elementary School's Special Chorus to sing classic Christmas songs in McIntire Family Park for the Hayden Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony. Then, Hayden Mayor Steve Griffitts, Santa Claus and P1FCU staff will light the tree.
Lovers of Santa Claus are invited to say hello as he walks around to children in the park. P1FCU will also provide giveaways.
Donations will be accepted for the United States Maritime Resource Center Toys for Tots campaign.
The event was made possible through donations by P1FCU, Dick Panabaker, Bill Batdorf, Super 1 Foods, the Hayden Veterans Commission and Hayden Parks, Recreation & Community Forestry Commission.
City info: (208) 209-1080.