Weekend-pack holiday fun
Stillwater County is kicking off the first weekend of December in high holiday fashion with multiple events from Rapelje to Nye.
The fun begins on Friday and runs through Sunday in Rapelje, Columbus, Absarokee and Nye.
Friday, Dec. 5
Festivities in Columbus begin with pictures with Santa on both ends of Pike Avenue. United Bank is the east end venue with photos from 4:30 p.m. until 6:30 p.m. and Perceptions will be the second location on the west end, with Santa available for photos from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m.
The annual chili feed will begin at 5:30 p.m. and for the 12th year, will be hosted by Beartooth Ford. Proceeds this year will go to the Backpack program.
Johnny’s Buckaroos 4-H club will be set up outside of Perceptions on Pike Avenue selling goodies.
The annual Parade of Lights will begin at 7 p.m. with the theme “Snowflakes, Snowmen and Stars, Oh My!” In the event of inclement weather the parade will be held the following Friday. For more information contact Mary Blankenship at (406)321-0397 or Lynn Arthun at (406)322-5790.
The Museum of the Beartooths will hold an open house from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. with cookies, hot cider and sales in the gift shop, said MOB Executive Director Penny Redli.
In Absarokee, a 4 p.m. parade is scheduled, as well as Santa photos at that United Bank location from 4 p.m. until 5 p.m. as well as the annual Absarokee Senior Center’s annual spaghetti dinner.
Saturday, Dec. 6
On Saturday, Absarokee will continue in the holiday spirit with the annual PEO Winter Holiday Bazar at the Cobblestone. This event features local handmade items and home-based businesses, with lunch available at 11 a.m.
Additionally, there will be Ginger’s Gingerbread Creation Contest at Ginger’s Coffee Corral and Gifts. Judging starts at 2 p.m. and prizes will be awarded for creativity.
In Nye, the Windy Flats Gallery will hold a holiday open house on Saturday and Sunday from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Featured artists will include Tom Wolfe, Edward Barta, Carrie Sharp, Jane Parker, Norm Tjeltviet and more. Holiday food and drink will be offered.
Sunday, Dec. 7
On Sunday, Project Hope’s Kids Shopping Day will be held from 1 p.m. until 3 p.m. at the fairgrounds. Kids in grades kindergarten through fifth can shop for a total of five gifts by paying just $2 at the door. Personal shoppers are needed to help the children, as are gift-wrappers. For more information call Kathy at 322-8537.
In the south country, Nye Gets Lit! gets underway at 5 p.m. This annual event put on by the Nye Community Foundation is a thank you to the community via a Christmas get-together at the fire house. Food is the primary attraction, featuring two kinds of chili, soup, hor d’oeuvres and dessert. Kids provide entertainment.
And in the north country, the Rapelje School Christmas program starts at 6 p.m. as K-12 students share their talents with you and present a “Musical Christmas” evening.