McCall holiday tree to be lit downtown on Saturday night
The official lighting of the McCall Community Christmas Tree at Art Roberts Park in downtown McCall and Christmas kick-off ceremonies start at 6 p.m. Saturday
In addition to the official lighting of the tree, Santa will arrive by fire truck with treats for the children. There will also be hot drinks and snacks at the park provided by Cheap Thrills Rentals and The Christmas House.
Christmas caroling will be presented by the McCall Elementary School children, and Manchester Ice and Event Centre will be open for free skating from 6 to 10 p.m. Saturday courtesy of First American Title Company.
More than a dozen local merchants will stay open late that evening for special shopping bargains and fun.
"We encourage everyone to celebrate locally, shop locally, and join us in the traditional McCall community holiday spirit!" said Tamara Sandmeyer, executive director of the McCall Area Chamber of Commerce. For information, contact the chamber office at 634-7631.
Christmas in Donnelly celebration Saturday
to feature chill cook-off Christmas in Donnelly will be launched on Saturday with a chili cook-off and an appearance by Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus.
All chamber members are invited to sponsor a decorated Christmas tree to be displayed at the chamber office in downtown Donnelly
Trees should be no taller than seven feet but can be decorated in any fashion. Decorating needs to be done no later than 3 p.m., and judging will take place at 4 p.m. All trees will be donated to needy families in the area the following week.
The chili cook-off starts at 4 p.m., which is the same time a bonfire will be lit.
Mr. and Mrs. Claus will arrive at 5 p.m., which is the same time prizes will be awarded for the chili cook-off.
To participate, call Melanie Holmes at AmeriTitle in McCall, 634-6363, or chamber director Monty Ivey at 315-3231.
New Meadows senior center to hold Christmas In the Valley bazaar Saturday
The eighth-annual Christmas in the Valley Holiday Bazaar will be held Saturday in the New Meadows Senior Citizen Center.
Hours for the bazaar are 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., and lunch will be served by the seniors from noon to 2 p.m.
Wares to be displayed will include antique dolls, silversmith items and antique jewelry. A kettle corn vendor also will be on hand.
Table space rentals will be $10 for an eight-foot table and $5 for a card table. For reservations, call the senior center at 347-2363.
Riggins to host Canyon Communities Christmas Craft Fair
Shoppers will be rewarded for making the trip to Riggins this week for the Canyon Communities Christmas Craft Fair.
The fair will be held Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the former Riggins Hardware Building.
There be 14 vendors whose wares include weaving, etching, jewelry and baked goods. Booths will rent for $10 per day.
On Saturday, Santa will be on hand from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. and there will be music from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Collections of canned food, coats and gloves will be held, and donations will be accepted for a "Sharing Tree."
A food booth also will be on hand to raise money for senior and handicapped transportation, and there will be workshops for children and a weaving demonstration.
McCall Pony Club members to wrap presents
Members of the McCall Pony Club will wrap Christmas presents on Saturday in return for donations.
Club members will' be wrapping presents between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. Saturday at Paul's Market in McCall.
Donations will be given to MCPAWS Regional Animal Shelter.
Pony Club is one of the leading junior equestrian organizations in the world, represented throughout 30 countries. The United States has over 600 individual clubs spread across 48 states and the Virgin Islands, with more than 12,000 members.
It is not necessary for a child to own a horse or pony, but they must have access to one when required. Programs are offered in dressage, eventing, show jumping, mounted games, tetrathlon, quiz, vaulting, fox hunting, and polo crosse.
Holiday Happening tickets available for Saturday's event at Whitetail Club
Tickets are still available for the McCall Memorial Hospital Auxiliary's Holiday Happening, a local tradition that ushers in the holiday season.
The festive luncheon and activities take place Saturday at Whitetail Club and Resort. Doors open at 11 a.m. for a no-host bar socializing hour, viewing of the raffle and auction items, followed by lunch at noon, a style show and drawing for door prizes.
The style show features attire for all ages available at local stores. Raffle and door prizes include donations from local merchants and estate jewelry and other collectibles provided through the Thrift Shop. Classical chamber music will be provided by the quartet called f(PVC).
Tickets cost $25 and are available at the auxiliary's Thrift Shop on Lenora Street and the hospital's Community Services office. Proceeds from Holiday Happening provide scholarships for students pursuing or advancing medical careers.
For more information or to reserve tickets, call the Community Services office at 634-4061, ext. 180.
Community Christmas concert to feature two choirs, brass quintet
The 11th Annual McCall Community Christmas Carol-Along will feature a banquet of sounds this year.
A part of the Second Sunday Sounds at Six series, the concert will be held two nights, Sunday, Dec. 9, at 6 p.m. and Monday, Dec. 10, at 7 p.m. at the McCall Congregational United Church of Christ at First and Park streets. The concerts are free.
The concert will include the adult choir, the children's choir, The Tuesday Brass Quintet and feature organist Dr. Andrew Goodman, an assistant professor of Music at Boise State University.
Under the direction of Tyler Vance, the concert will feature choral music that ranges from medieval French to American gospel.
"We've got a musical feast this year," Vance said. "We're very fortunate to have the Tuesday Brass Quintet and Dr. Goodwin to bring a dimension to the carols that we haven't had before. It will be a very rich musical evening."
The McCall Community Children's Choir numbers 30 children, from preschool through sixth grade. The choir, directed by Vance, is part of the outreach program of the church to provide children with a positive singing experience, and to develop vocal technique and ear training.
The Community Chorale is open to anyone who enjoys singing in a friendly, no-pressure environment. Experience ranges from those who have formal training to those who simply have a desire to sing. All are welcome.
The Community Christmas is sponsored by the congregational church, The Second Sunday Sounds at Six Series, The McCall Music Society, The Idaho Academy of Music and private donors.
Cascade to host Festival of Lights and Victorian Christmas Dec. 7-9
Cascade's Festival of Lights and Victorian Christmas will take place Dec. 7-9 with entertainment for the entire family.
The friends of the Cascade Public Library will display its Festival of Wreaths at The Ashley Inn. This has been an annual fundraiser of Cascade's public library as the wreaths are sold at silent auction.
A Victorian Christmas is the name of the arts and crafts fair to be held at The Ashley Inn through the weekend. Hours will be noon to 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 7, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 8, and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 9.
Vendors will offer a variety of special, handmade gifts. Wood products such as clocks, scroll art pens and cedar chests have a feel of quality.
Five jewelers will display crafted gems as well as beaded costume necklaces and bracelets. The faux fur blanket vendor will return, and there also will be quilted puzzles, baked potato sleeves, fused glass, body products, candles, centerpieces, scrap and history books, gift baskets and photo frames.
A special treat will happen at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 8, when the Caldwell High School Madrigal Choir will sing on The Ashley Inn's winding staircase.
On Friday, Dec. 7, at 6 p.m., Santa and his sleigh will lead the kids, young and old on the Christmas Light Parade to downtown where all participants will find hot chocolate and Christmas treats.
The parade will start in The Ashley Inn parking lot and proceed downtown to Market Street.
Everyone in the parade should bring a good flashlight to hold during the parade. Return
transportation will be provided courtesy of the Cascade Senior Citizens Center.
Several downtown shops will be open until 7 p.m. Friday evening, and The Roxy Theater will have entertainment for the entire weekend beginning at 7 p.m. each night.
On Saturday, Dec. 8, at 2 p.m., The Ashley Inn will host a Victorian Christmas Tea. Hand-selected tea, sandwiches and desserts will make this an enjoyable afternoon. Call 382-5621 to reserve a seat.
For more information, contact Ron Lundquist 315-0002 or Katrin Thompson 634-6994.
