Christmas vibes in T. Falls

Thompson Falls was jingling with holiday spirit over the weekend with the annual Christmas on Main Street festivities.

On Friday, Thompson Falls Chamber of Commerce sponsored a holiday stroll, inviting businesses to stay open and offer treats and specials to community members. At the Sunflower Gallery, strollers could get crafty with reindeer candy cane ornaments or gnome ornament creations. The gallery, which features local artisans, also offered a hot cocoa bar with a variety of toppings, and mulled wine.

The Sanders County Ledger also offered a craft station and cookies. Community members also had an opportunity to gain more information about the Forest Service property known as the Orchard. At Big Eddy's, fire pits were available for strollers to warm up at, and they offered signature seasonal cocktails.

The Clark Fork Valley Singers were busy throughout the weekend, first walking Main Street on Friday throughout the stroll, stopping at various businesses before leading the community in carols before the tree lighting across from the courthouse. On Saturday, the group of carolers were one of the acts to fill the Rex with sounds of the season during the after party.

Following the stroll on Friday, Chamber President Gussie O'Connor declared the Christmas season had begun in Thompson Falls as the community Christmas tree was lit. Dozens of strings of lights filled the tree with a refurbished star topper from David Mitchell with Patriot Machining. Nate Saint of Saint's towing helped place the star on top of the tree and Melinda Anakalea of Harlow Ranch Bison Company made sure the tree had plenty of lights.

The annual Christmas on Main Street parade was Saturday. The Men's Prayer Breakfast group offered treats and cocoa prior to the parade, in the First Security Bank parking lot. Portable heaters helped keep the crowd warm as they waited with anticipation for the parade to start. Organizer Joanne Burk of First Security Bank said there were 42 entries. Though the snow and rain kept some people at home, there were plenty of spectators of all ages lining Main Street for the event. Grand Marshal Sarah Ball led the parade with her mom Glenna in the sleigh by her side.

The Men's Prayer Breakfast group offers $100 prizes to five random entries in the parade each year. This year's recipients were First Baptist Church, Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church, Blue Hawk Pizza, Clark Fork Valley Elks and Dance XPlosion.

Burk said the judges did not award a People's Choice winner for the parade because they loved all the floats. "They told me that they were all so good they couldn't choose and that everyone was 'People's Choice.' I thought it was pretty cool that all were so good that they could not choose," Burk said.

Following the parade, a variety of talent was displayed on stage at the Rex Community Theater. The Rex After Party, as the event is dubbed, is organized by Mary Crouse of Thompson Falls. Crouse performed herself, singing with Rob Viens accompanying her on the keyboard. Viens also leads the Clark Fork Valley Singers and accompanied the dozen singing on Saturday. Pastor Jakob Berger of Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church played holiday music on his saxophone as the crowd sang along to such favorites as "We Wish You A Merry Christmas." Sibling duo Charlie Wilson and Toni Legault offered unique holiday songs on stage as they sang and Wilson played the guitar. More than 100 guests enjoyed the musical variety of the after party.

Thompson Falls Chamber of Commerce also sponsored a coloring contest for kids of all ages. Winners included Ruth Kosel (age 4 and under), Hank Pavlik (5-6), Eleanor Traver (7-8), Xavier Golden (9-12) and Kandice Smith (13-17). The Rex Community Theater donated certificates for movie tickets, popcorn and soda to the winners in the children's category. In the adult category, Lori Fisher won a $50 gift certificate to Big Eddy's, donated by Kerrie Cobb of Axia Home Loans.

There were four winners of the Chamber's window decorating contest this year. Farmhouse Blooms, Feed & Fuel, Sunflower Gallery and First Security Bank each won $50 in advertising sponsored by The Sanders County Ledger.