Parade Of Lights Kicks Off Holiday Season In Stanley
The Christmas activities in Stanley kicked off on Saturday, Nov. 30. The day started with a Vendor/Craft show in the former Ace Hardware building on Main Street. Businesses were also celebrating Small Business Saturday with specials for customers to get a start on their holiday shopping.
The annual Parade of Lights took center stage that evening on Main Street. As the lights went down on Main Street, the Stanley Police Department led off the parade. George Littlecreek served as announcer for the parade.
Judges this year awarded first place to the City of Stanley, second place going to Prairie Home Furnishings and Prairie Ford claiming third place. Other entrants were Mr. and Mrs. Colton Rudolph and their wedding party, Stanley Fire Department, the Beach Bar, Bravera Bank, Thrivent Financial, West End Boutique, Border Plains, Pinnacle Agronomy and RTC Networks.
Stanley Bucks returns this year, with customers able to sign up for weekly drawings.
Santa Day is set for Saturday, Dec. 14. Pictures with Santa will be offered from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Prairie Ford with parents taking their own photos with a provided backdrop. The free movie for kids will be at Regis Theater on Saturday, Dec. 14, The Star showing at 1:00 p.m. There will be free popcorn for the kids and Santa will be there after the movie to hand out treats.
The Commercial Club is working on a few other ideas for the Christmas season including a Ladies Night on December 5 and Men’s Night on December 9 at participating businesses.
The Stanley Park District’s Christmas Decorating Contest returns for a fifth year. Open to all businesses and residents, the contest encourages decorating for the holiday season. Participants should have their home, yard or business decorated by December 19. Submit your address to stanleyrecdirector@gmail.com or text or call 701-629-8990. You can also nominate someone else for the contest. Judges will be going around and checking out those nominated. Winners will be announced the week of December 27. Cash prizes will be awarded.
The Women of Today Giving Tree is set up in multiple places this year, including Cashwise Foods, Mountrail-Williams Electric Cooperative and Thoughtful Memories on Main Street this year. To include a child on the tree, application forms are available at Mountrail County Social Services, Mountrail Community Food Pantry, Mountrail-Williams Electric or the Mountrail County Promoter. Applications can also be received by texting or calling Pat Fern at 629-9007. They ask that you fill out the application completely. A working phone number is essential. Completed applications can be returned to the same locations or by email at patfern@hotmail.com putting Giving Tree in the subject line. They can also be mailed to Pat Fern at 318 5th St. SE, Stanley, ND 58784. As a reminder, family names remain confidential. Those who want to help with the Giving Tree but do not want to take a tag can make donations at the same locations. The Women of Today guarantee that every tag will be filled so donations help if all the tags are not taken or gifts not returned to the tree.