STORY AND PHOTOS BY KAREN BOSSICK

It felt like spring with temperatures having reached 55 earlier in the day.

But Christmas came to Croy Street in Hailey this weekend despite that Old Scrooge Mother Nature.

Dozens of children and adults turned up at the new Ketchum Town Square behind the Hailey Public Library, accepting gifts that Jane Drussel handed out for Santa as he sized up this year’s crop of children.

A couple high school groups sang Christmas carols, alongside the Caritas Chorale. And Hailey Mayor Martha Burke turned on the lights on the new Christmas “tree” with the wave of her magic wand.

Despite the lack of snow, Chamber Director Mike McKenna says Friedman Memorial Airport ran out of parking on Thanksgiving Day. And more than 500 people and dogs took part in the 18^th annual Turkey Trot, availing themselves of mimosas served up by the Corwin and Thompson families, while others flocked to Bald Mountain for Sun Valley Resort’s ski season opener.

McKenna says the valley is priming for especially high occupancy rates from Christmas through New Year’s regardless of what Mother Nature throws our way.

Meanwhile, if you missed the singing Friday night, stay tuned. The Caritas Chorale will join with the choirs of Wood River High School at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 14, at the Wood River High School Performing Arts Theater in the Community Campus.

And the Wood River Orchestra plans on making a triumphant return after an 18-month hiatus due to the pandemic with its annual holiday concert at 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 12, at the Church of the Big Wood in Ketchum. Get there early for a chance to shop the special table with its silent auction of items, including a dinner for eight and photos donated by the Sun Valley Photography Club.

DON'T FORGET:

The Papoose Club Holiday Bazaar concludes from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. today at Hemingway STEAM School in Ketchum. Santa will be there from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m.