Parade Of Lights Kicks Off Holiday Season In Stanley
Christmas activities in Stanley kicked off on Saturday, Nov. 29 with the annual vendor show and Parade of Lights.
The Small Business Saturday vendor show and craft show was held at the Mountrail County South Complex from noon to 5:00 p.m. with not only the traditional local businesses, but also the vendor/craft show that celebrates small home-based businesses.
The annual Parade of Lights kicked off on Main Street at 6:00 p.m. There were fourteen entries in this year’s parade. George Littlecreek did announcer duties from the Truckin’ Fresh Produce building. Judges awarded first place this year to the entry from Gooseneck Implement with second place going to RTC Networks. Other entries in this year’s parade included the Stanley Police Department leading off and closing out the parade, Stanley Ambulance, Stanley Fire Department, Prairie Ford, American Lutheran Church, Bravera Bank, Stanley’s Pinnacle Agronomy, Prairie Home Furnishings, Stanley Ace Hardware, Border Plains, Mountrail County Emergency Management, and K ‘n’ B Trucking.
The Commercial Club is sponsoring Stanley Bucks giveaways each week during the holiday shopping season. You can register at participating businesses.
Santa Day is set for Saturday, Dec. 6 with free pictures with Santa from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Prairie Ford. BNC will be hosting free cookie decorating, sponsored by Mountrail-Williams Electric, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. A free movie for the kids will be held at Regis Theater at 2:00 p.m. They will be showing “The Santa Claus”.
The Commercial Club is also hosting Ladies Night shopping in the evening on Tuesday, Dec. 9 from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at participating businesses. You are invited to come in your ugliest, fluffiest, itchiest Christmas sweater for the ultimate ugly sweater showdown.
The Stanley Park District’s Christmas Decorating Contest will also be underway. 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.
In the spirit of giving, the Women of Today Giving Tree will be set up again this year. To include a child on the tree, application forms are available Mountrail County Social Services, Mountrail County Food Pantry, and Cashwise Foods. They ask that you fill out the application completely. A working phone number is essential. Applications need to be returned by December 16th. As a friendly reminder, family names remain confidential.
Prairie Ford is continuing their Fill a Ford event through December 6 to collect non-perishable food items that will be distributed to the Mountrail Community Food Pantry and the SACK Program.
Looking for more opportunities to enjoy a Parade of Lights?
New Town is hosting their 32nd annual Parade of Lights on Saturday, Dec. 6. The day starts with a cultural craft fair at the Northern Lights from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. including Christmas family photos from 10 a.m. to noon and Santa Claus visiting from noon to 3 p.m. New Town’s annual Walk-A-Bout will run on Main Street from 5 to 8 p.m. with the Parade of Lights starting at 6:00 p.m. Following the parade, gather by the city Christmas tree for prize presentations and Christmas Carols performed by the New Town High School choir. New Town Bucks prizes are awarded for the People’s Choice, community and commercial entries. For additional information call the New Town City Auditor’s office at 701-627-4812.
Parshall is hosting their Parade of Lights on Friday, Dec. 12. Line up begins at 6:15 p.m. at the high school with the parade beginning at 6:30 p.m. They are hosting a Facebook vote for the top three entries. The parade is organized and prizes are donated by the Parshall Promoters. Following the parade, kids’ activities and treats will be hosted at the Paul Broste Rock Museum. This event is sponsored by the museum and North Country Oil.