FAST FIVE: Christmas lives in Traci Stevenson's heart

Meet Traci Stevenson, who came to the city of Post Falls Parks and Recreation Department 25 years ago after graduating from Northern Arizona University with a degree in parks and recreation management. After graduation, she worked for a nonprofit, Citizens Against Substance Abuse in Flagstaff, Ariz., overseeing before and after school programs and had previously worked for the city of Mesa Parks and Recreation. Her goal was to “come home” to North Idaho. Both her parents were born and raised in Coeur d'Alene and as a Navy brat, this was where both sets of grandparents lived and was home base. Her parents came back to Idaho after retirement and the push for her to join them became even greater. One day out of the blue, her father sent her a fax about a recent opening at the city of Post Falls and she jumped at the opportunity. She joined the city as a recreation supervisor in 1998 and the rest is history, a quarter of a century later.

1) What was your motivation for starting Post Falls' Winterfest, and how were the first few years at the event?

The invention of Winterfest was a whirlwind of a few ideas and concepts. I had been dabbling in a few “holiday-themed” programs and events but wanted to grow something into a large community event. As a very small department in 2000, we were discussing ideas when our director at the time, Bill Musson, said when he lived in Alaska, they did this fun little event with crafts and lit a community tree. Then the lights in my head went off like a flashing tree. I wanted to make it a free, fun family event for all ages. So, that’s when crafts, music, snacks, Santa and everything came together. The first year it was small, and the crafts were done at Frederick Post Gym while the music and Santa were at the library. The next year, it went to Q’emiln Park for better parking and more room, and then it went kind of back and forth between the two areas for a few years, then it came to City Hall and when the new campus was in construction, my first suggestion was electrical plugs and a huge plaza. I had dreams and then there were rumors of taking the tree down (which is now sadly dying) and I worked with the urban forester to save the tree for Christmas. I’m always envisioning how Winterfest can continue to grow and become an event that families put on their calendars and it becomes part of their family traditions. 

2) How did this year's event go?

I believe this year was amazing, but honestly, I can’t take all the credit. A large special event like this takes a lot of planning, prepping, other entities getting involved, amazing sponsors, volunteers and the BEST parks and recreation team imaginable that is full of Christmas spirit. For years I took the lead and probably will always be the "head elf", but Jill McDowell who recently retired quickly realized she had been bitten by the Christmas bug when she was humming carols in July, and she added a tremendous amount of Christmas magic to the event. The past couple years, Hayle Carver has put on her Santa’s hat and has grabbed the reins. I’m just so lucky there’s only one Grinch in the department (ha ha!) and we holiday lovers win out. This year was magical with the slight dusting of snow. Like I said, a true Hallmark event. 

3) What do you love most about the holiday season and how do you celebrate it?

What’s there not to love about the holiday season? Except I truly wish it wasn’t just a season and people were as kind, generous, supportive and cheerful all year long. People will think I’m a tad crazy, but with my busy schedule at work, my husband and I start decorating in October (inside and out). We try to cheat the system a bit with doing a large "Nightmare Before Christmas" Halloween theme, that way we have a jump on our Christmas outdoor display. Yep, we are the people that give out candy canes for Halloween. We transform every room in our house to Christmas and have 12 trees. I just love to come home from work and sit down with only the Christmas lights on. Working in Parks and Recreation and constantly planning programs and events you would think the last thing I want to do is plan more, but we love to host family and friends for all kinds of parties throughout the year, and our party hosting really ramps up for the holidays. I start with a ladies' Hallmark movie party before Thanksgiving and usually end with a Christmas murder mystery or movie-themed party. My biggest joy of the holiday season is giving to others, with either my time, donations, bringing people together and baking… I like to give Mrs. Claus a run for her money!.    

4) What is something people would be surprised to know about you?

There’re a couple things that people may be surprised about. One, I wasn’t always as Christmas obsessed as I am today. I have many fond memories of Christmas as a child and my family did it fairly big too, but many Christmases I lived in warm climates, and it just didn’t feel as festive as here. My husband Marc has always been Christmas obsessed. He’s an Ohio boy and he taught me to take it to a new level. He goes all out in every way possible and truly he does it… for the kids, our kids, neighbor kids, all kids. Secondly, I’m a huge Kentucky Derby fan and we throw a derby party every year. We were supposed to go to the derby for our 25th wedding anniversary and we all know how events went in 2020, so it’s back on the bucket list.  

5) What is on your Christmas list this year?

I have the same thing on my Christmas list every single year: Good health for my loved ones. My dad is the strongest cancer fighter I know and just this year we lost my older brother to cancer and other ailments. I can’t put good health under the tree with a pretty bow, but I can enjoy the people in my life every single day and I’m so thankful for such a supportive family and the best tribe a girl could ask for.