This weekend happens to be the first of December, which in Powell signals the big kickoff to the Christmas season.

The annual ChristmasFest weekend of events takes over downtown Powell on Friday and Saturday.

There will be cocoa, caroling, live musical entertainment, holiday crafts, face painting and cookie decorating for kids, visits with Santa and the traditional Lighted Christmas Parade at 5:30 p.m. Saturday. The event is co-sponsored by Plaza Diane, Powell Rotary and PEP, and the Powell Chamber, in cooperation with the Park County Travel Council.

The event is in its fourth year after taking over for the decades-long run of Country Christmas.

“We’ve got lots of holiday fun for kids and families set over both Friday and Saturday,” Plaza Diane board member Shelby Wetzel said.

New this year, Plaza Diane’s AmeriCorps VISTA volunteer led efforts to create a video featuring holiday memories from four Powell residents. Wetzel said their vignettes feature stories ranging from family celebrations linked to other cultures, to a cherished collection of miniature Santas, and past community events and traditions. The four individuals featured are Jim Wysocki, Sue Woods, Sharon Earhart and Dick Nelson (who was born on Christmas Day). 

The six-minute film will debut on the Plaza Friday night during the cocoa and caroling event and be featured in the gallery throughout the day on Saturday.

— Zac Taylor

ChristmasFest schedule of events

Friday: 5:30 p.m. Cocoa and caroling with the Powell Middle School Choir at Plaza Diane. Including complimentary cocoa and marshmallows for roasting.
5:45 p.m. Lighting of the enchanted forest

Saturday: 10 a.m. Absaroka Mountain Thunder
11 a.m. Elementary school choir
Noon: Absaroka Mountain Thunder
11 a.m.-2 p.m. Santa’s Workshop hosted by Powell Rotary at The Commons
2-4 p.m. Visit Santa at Plaza Diane.
5:30 p.m. Lighted Parade in downtown Powell