Whitehall Christmas Festival This Weekend

Christmas Festival week is here! We have many activities happening this week, something for everyone! From December 1 through 24 we have the Elfie Selfie contest for children 0-18. Find a “Chamber” elf in a business, take your picture with Elfie, and text it to the Whitehall Chamber at 406-287-2260.

On Thursday, we have the Chamber of Commerce Annual Meeting at 1 PM come and make your voice known! We are electing new officers for the 2023 year, there will be food and a white elephant gift exchange after the meeting. At 7 PM, Chamber board member Carey Burnside of Arctic Heat is hosting Ladies Night at the Assembly of God church. Please RSVP to 406-202-3460 if you would like to attend.

Friday is the official start of the Christmas Festival. The light parade will meet at 5:30 PM at the light-up Mickey Mouse at Main Street Green. We will pass out voting ballots there, the parade will line up in the Legion Park area (off the street) BEHIND the Fire Truck. Prizes will be awarded for Best Costume (both adults and kids), Best Business Vehicle, Best Decorated Vehicle, and various spot awards. Decorate those cars, tractors, ATVs, whatever you want to drive! Turn in your ballots back at Legion Park at the end of the parade. Your votes determine the winners of the residential light contest! Each person gets a ballot! Remember, the parade takes a while; plan your bathroom stops accordingly! You can tune into the local radio for Christmas tunes while we parade through town.

Saturday brings Business Bingo and the Vendor Market at the community center, as well as the Veterans Chili Feed. Pick up your Bingo cards at Sweet Things & Coffee Beans or M&M Vintage, and visit all the businesses on the card for a stamp. No purchase is necessary! There will be additional chances to win with a purchase, however. Support your local businesses! Cards must be completely stamped and turned in at the Western Legacy Center by 5 PM to be eligible for prizes. While dropping off your bingo cards at WLC, check out the additional vendors set up there! We have several prize baskets, filled with wonderful items from your local businesses! At the community center, there will be a variety of vendor booths, as well as a rock exhibit. Buy a raffle ticket at the door to be eligible to win a basket of goodies donated by the many wonderful vendors. Grab a bowl of chili to support your local veterans, and bring your canned goods down to vote on your favorite wreaths at the Saddle Club wreath auction.

Many will be voted on at the silent auction, but only a select few move on to the live wreath auction at the Mint, which begins at 7 PM! Funds from the wreath auctions benefit many organizations or projects in town.

The Jefferson Valley Fine Arts show will be at the Borden Hotel conference room.

Santa will be live at the Whitehall Library, where there will also be cookies, carolers, and the winter gear giveaway. Knitwear is as cute as they come, be sure to drop by if you know a little person in need of a cute hat, mittens, and other gear.

At Assembly of God church, there will be a cookie decorating station, as well as a vendor supporting Whitehall Schools selling hot cocoa and baked goods. At the Trinity United Methodist Church, there will be a kids’ carnival with games and picture opportunities with the Grinch. Check out the Christmas Festival Special Section for more details! Come on out and celebrate your town, see your friends, and make new memories and traditions!