Lighted Parade, Santa's Workshop, caroling, Tour of Homes and more

With glowing lights, strolling carolers, homes decked out for the holidays and a visit from Santa Claus, favorite festivities will return as part of Country Christmas this weekend in Powell.

From the Lighted Parade on Friday evening to the Tour of Homes on Sunday afternoon — and a full slate of Saturday activities in between — Country Christmas promises to be a festive and fun weekend, said Jaime Schmeiser, executive director of the Powell Valley Chamber of Commerce.

“Everybody is involved this year, which for me, it’s been a blessing,” she said. “From the merchants to the community, everybody wants to be a part of it.”

The annual Country Christmas Gift and Craft Show kicks off the weekend activities from 2-6:30 p.m. Friday at The Commons and Plaza Diane. Featuring a variety of gift, craft and food vendors, the show also takes place from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday.

On Friday, “We’re going back to tradition with the Lighted Parade,” Schmeiser said, noting it will be held in the evening instead of during the daytime.

The parade begins at 7 p.m. Friday in downtown Powell, and the chamber has received a flurry of entries.

“We got inundated with entries,” Schmeiser said Monday morning. “I’m hoping it will be a nice, full parade. It’s exciting.”

The chamber will still accept late parade entries this week, even though the deadline has passed.

The theme for the parade, along with the entire weekend, is “Frozen” Wonderland.

Friday also marks the start of the Scavenger Hunt game at participating local merchants. Cards can be picked up at the chamber’s table at The Commons. Residents also are invited to participate in the Tally-Up game, which rewards shoppers who spend the most at local businesses.

Schmeiser reminded residents to shop locally this holiday season.

“Keep it local — it not only supports our local businesses, but they also support us,” she said. “They’re all a part of this Country Christmas weekend as well.”

Saturday events

The Country Christmas Gift and Craft Show begins at The Commons and Plaza Diane at 9 a.m., and events downtown will last throughout the day. A variety of food vendors also will be available at The Commons.

“There will be lots of things to choose from,” Schmeiser said.

Weather permitting, live entertainment begins on the Plaza Diane stage starting at 10 a.m. Saturday and goes through the afternoon.

The Powell Children’s Choir begins the morning’s music with a 10 a.m. performance. Absaroka Mountain Thunder Cloggers take the stage at 10:30 a.m., followed by the Stomp and Company cloggers at 11 a.m. Other live performances will continue throughout the day, including music by Brooks Robinson of Powell, Schmeiser said.

Santa’s Workshop opens at 10 a.m. at 217 E. First St., next to Pizza on the Run. The workshop lasts until 3 p.m., and kids can make Christmas crafts, play games and write a letter to Santa.

Old Saint Nick will welcome kids to share their wish lists and pose for a picture beginning at 10 a.m. at 109 N. Bent St., the former Light of Christ Church.

Pictures with Santa will be from 10 a.m. to noon, and then again from 2:30-4 p.m. Parents can purchase professional photos and also can take pictures with their own cameras if they’d like, Schmeiser said.

In keeping with the theme, Vali Twin Cinema will host a free showing of the Disney movie “Frozen” beginning at noon.

“It’s not necessary to get in, but we’re asking kids and parents to bring donations for Powell Valley Loaves and Fishes,” Schmeiser said, such as canned goods or other nonperishable food items.

Throughout the day around downtown, folks can pose with their favorite characters from Disney’s “Frozen.”

“There will be huge cutouts of the characters from the movie ‘Frozen’ for people to pose with for selfies or have their kids pose with — Olaf, Sven, the sisters, Elsa and Anna, and Kristoff,” Schmeiser said.

Powell High School woodworking students created the cutouts, and NWC art students painted them, she said.

Also around town, carolers from six or more local churches will stroll the streets beginning at noon.

“There will be strolling carolers all day long, in front of the stores in the downtown area,” she said.

The Community Christmas Tree Lighting, a tradition from years ago, will return to this year’s Country Christmas. At 5 p.m. Saturday, residents will gather for the Christmas tree lighting in the parking area off Absaroka Street behind Wells Fargo.

“There will be candlelight caroling from the Community Christmas Tree to Plaza Diane for free hot chocolate at 5:30 (p.m.),” Schmeiser said.

The Country Christmas Gift and Craft Show goes until 6  p.m. at Plaza Diane and The Commons.

Following the events downtown, the Northwest Civic Orchestra will present “Frozen Wonderland” at 7 p.m. at the Northwest College Nelson Performing Arts Center. In addition to music from “Frozen” and “The Nutcracker,” the orchestra also will play familiar holiday favorites, such as “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen” and “Winter Wonderland.”

For the orchestra’s performance, general admission is $7. Senior citizens pay $5, children and NWC students are admitted free.

Tour of Homes returns

Featuring six local homes, the Christmas Tour of Homes returns on Sunday afternoon from 1-5 p.m. After the annual tour was canceled last year, local organizers worked to bring back the holiday event this year.

Homeowners featuring their houses on this year’s tour include: Denyce and Ed Reno at 174 S. Douglas St.; Camara Clifton at 108 1/2 N. Bent St. (above Marquis Awards); Ruby Hartman at 580 Avenue G; Brad and Kerri Kolb at 478 Sunlight Drive; Ron and Kitty Nettie at 1153 Road 9; and Logan and Keela Hopkin at 181 Delaney Court. For more information, see the Christmas Tour of Homes insert in today's paper.

Tickets for the Tour of Homes can be purchased at the Powell Valley Chamber of Commerce and cost $8 in advance and $10 the day of the tour.

In addition to the homes on the tour, Schmeiser also encouraged folks to attend Andy and Denah McDonald's free synchronized outdoor light show at 1351 Road 12H southwest of Powell during the holiday season.

Schmeiser said she loves Christmas and is looking forward to the Country Christmas events this weekend.

“We’re hoping for a good turnout, and the weather is supposed to be nice, so that will be good, especially for the parade Friday night,” she said.