STORY AND PHOTO BY KAREN BOSSICK
The first of four Christmas Tree Lightings will take place tonight in Hailey.
The Hailey Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony will be held from 4 to 6:30 p.m. at the Blaine County Courthouse Christmas Tree. And it’s a big to-do.
Santa is scheduled to make his way from the North Pole but not by sleigh—the reindeer are resting up for their big night three weeks from now. Instead, he’ll arrive by fire truck, all ready for children to sit on his lap and share their Christmas dreams.
The Caritas Chorale Carolers will sing favorite Christmas carols—a warm-up for their free Christmas concert at 7 tonight at the Wood River High School Performing Arts Theater on the Community Campus. And cookies and hot chocolate will be served.
Mayor Friz Haemmerle will light the tree at 5:30 p.m.
Webb Landscaping provided extra lights this year and the city staff put them on the tree to make sure Christmas is absolutely glowing. Others, such as Idaho Lumber/Ace Hardware, Jane Drussel of Jane’s Artifacts and Blaine County have joined hands to provide portable heaters, a tent and more holiday cheer.
Chamber President Todd Hunter, owner of Idaho Lumber, says he hopes Wood River Valley residents will make an effort to shop local, noting that for every $100 spent at local business, $68 stays in the community.
“We can almost always meet or beat the prices found on Amazon and the Internet,” he said.