CHRISTMAS EXTRAVAGANZA

With snow flurries steadily coming down, Santa Claus traded in his sleigh for a 1962 Pontiac convertible and Rudolph for driver Ken Saner of Plains.

The Plains Christmas Extravaganza, which has also been called the Family Fun Community Christmas Event, kicked off Saturday in downtown Plains with a Plains-Paradise Rural Fire District truck, followed by the 4-H South Side Sparks Club singing Christmas carols, Marv and Margo Tanner in their vehicle with a big red bow on the front and Santa. The parade was short, but the activities continued throughout most of the day with Santa Claus - Steve Spurr - stopping for short periods of time at Hello Sweetness Designs, Garden, Gift & Floral, Mountain West Clothing, Mangy Moose and Gambles Hardware, where he had the chance to hang out with Mrs. Claus, aka Sharon Niemi, who handed out Rudolph the Reindeer candy canes that she made herself, complete with red hot candy noses, plastic blue eyes, and pipe cleaner antlers.

"I think it's awesome that she wanted to do this," said Matt Diehl, owner of Gambles Hardware, where Niemi works. Mrs. Claus sat with Santa during his visit at Gambles. "It was nice seeing Mrs. Claus. At this time of year I don't get to see her much," said Santa Spurr.

Several businesses participated in the daylong event, which is in its fourth year, although it was canceled last year due to the COVID pandemic. This is the third year for Briana Rivinius, owner of Hello Sweetness Designs, to participate in the Christmas Extravaganza. Rivinius this year made 2 1/2-inch wooden Christmas ornaments, which were colored with markers by about 20 kids from Plains, Paradise, Thompson Falls, and Missoula. She created a variety of ornaments - Christmas trees, penguins, gingerbread men, gnomes, elves, snowmen, and reindeer. Rivinius' daughter, Emelia, helped the younger kids tie the fancy twine hangers to the ornaments. "It's great to get the families out and involved in the community," said Rivinius. "It's fun watching the kids concentrate on every little detail," said the 12-year-old Emelia, who also helped some of the younger kids with their designs.

This was the first year for Garden, Gift & Floral to take part in the festivities. "It was a lot of fun. We had quite a few kids, especially when Santa was here," said Kim Revier, who purchased the store in 2019. "I thought it was fun to see people out and about on a Saturday in the snow and shopping locally," she added. Suzy VonHeeder and Emmalie Gavlak opened their café, "The Bean Bug," for the celebration.

Spurr said he had the biggest crowd of kids at Mountain West Clothing, where he sat for about 30 minutes outside the entrance. He said there might have been 75-100 kids visiting with him throughout the day. This is the third year for Erika Lawyer, the Mountain West Clothing owner and one of the event's coordinators, to partake in the festivities. Lawyer said that things are rebuilding in 2021 and there is always room for improvement, but she felt the event went well. She doesn't know how many people attended throughout the day, but added that downtown Plains was "bustling and people were cheerful and the snow was beautiful."

"I think we will see more parade entries and maybe we will see some additional events hosted by church groups, or service organizations. Would be fun to have a bonfire and s'mores or something," said Lawyer, who added they had more involvement from businesses this year. She was amused when she heard children were following Santa all the way down the street, which she said gave a new meaning to stalking[stocking].

"People were happy, laughing, visiting and I heard a lot of 'really good to see you' among folks, so that's a win," said Lawyer. Crystal McDonald, who coordinated Mangy Moose's party, felt the event went great. "Lots of families came and enjoyed Santa and decorating cookies," said McDonald. The Mangy Moose had Christmas cookie decorating, letters to Santa, and a coloring contest from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Jessica Tickner of Plains squeezed frosting on the plate for her daughter, 4-year-old Emmalynn, during the cookie making activity, so she could dip her finger in it and transfer it to the cookie. Emmalynn developed a good system. She'd put a smidge on a cookie and lick off the rest. "She tried to share her licked cookie with Santa," said Jessica.

The coloring contest winner of the 0-6-year-olds was Lacey Kulawinski. The 7-12-year-olds winner was Kaleah Yoder. Each won a $25 gift certificate. The store has participated in previous years handing out chili and cornbread, but McDonald said that next year they'll probably do something similar to this year's activities.