December D’lights

The first weekend of December we participated in our small town’s Christmas festival, called “December D’lights.” The fun started on Friday evening in one of the shopping centers on the highway, with hay rides throughout the evening, s’mores over an open fire, games and activities in some of the stores, and I’m not sure what else. We didn’t manage to get in on those activities.

Then on Saturday afternoon the festivities moved to our neighborhood, just a block down on Main Street. The print shop hosted the scavenger hunt. We gave out lists of Christmas-themed items for participants to hunt for all up and down the street, inside and outside. We also gave out calendars, Christmas coloring books and note pads.
It was a chilly, damp day, but not bitterly cold. The fire pits strategically placed down the center of the street were popular gathering spots.
Santa was there in his bus. Obviously, he must have arrived in his sleigh, but the school district provided a bus for his headquarters, so he and the kids could be warm and cozy while they visited. The Lions’ Club provided goody bags for him to give out to the children, and the print shop donated coloring books for the goody bags.
A portable stage was set up by the city Christmas tree. A school choir performed, and there were also games and contests going on throughout the afternoon.
Our table was inside this cute little shop. It’s not currently occupied so the owner allowed the city to use it for the vendors and the chili cook-off. They had it decorated so cute. I had a great view of the street from my table.
The street party ended at sunset (about 4:15) … and it was absolutely gorgeous. You would have thought it was made to order!

Once it was full dark (about 5:00) there was a “Lighted Rig Parade” through town as the finale for this year’s December D’lights. (In Idaho, any vehicle is a “rig.”) I didn’t get any pictures of the parade, but it was fun to see the creativity.

We had invited friends and family to come over for snacks and games after the parade, so it was a very full day and a fun way to start the Christmas season.

Does your town have a Christmas festival?