Valley to celebrate old-fashioned Christmas, New Years
By TRAVIS PURSER
Express Staff Writer
Santa and Mrs. Claus are coming to the Wood River Valley next week, and
with their arrival, a myriad of holiday festivities begins.
Ketchum is hosting an old-fashioned Christmas celebration Dec. 10 with
its annual tree-lighting ceremony at the Ketchum/Sun Valley Heritage and Ski Museum.
The following week, a childrens gingerbread decorating party
kicks off Sun Valleys Christmas season.
Other events include a community bonfire in Elkhorn, a fireworks
extravaganza in Sun Valley and classic productions of the Messiah and The
Thousandth Night.
It all begins with the arrival of Santa and Mrs. Claus Friday, Dec. 10,
on the Ketchum city fire engine. At 5:30 p.m., the Ketchum/Sun Valley Heritage and Ski
Museum will welcome the famous couple with a Christmas carol sing along and free hot
chocolate in the park at the corner of First and Washington.
Santas helpers will be busy handing out cookies and hot
ciderand helping to control the reindeerwhile Ketchum Mayor Guy Coles flips
the switch on the citys glimmering Christmas tree.
Later that night, Santa will accept childrens wish lists and
offer photo opportunities.
Dec. 17, Santa moves solo to a new venue when the Ketchum/Sun Valley
Chamber of Commerce hosts the 11th annual Childrens Gingerbread Decorating party
from 3 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. in the Sun Valley Inns Limelight Room.
Dont miss a screening of the "Iron Giant,"
however, which begins before the party at the Sun Valley Opera House at 2:30 p.m.
Highlighting this event at 4:30 p.m. will be a live performance of
kids Christmas music by local folk musicians, the Boulder Brothers.
The screening and party are free; however, all guests are encouraged to
make a $2 donation for the needy.
That night at 7 p.m., the Wood River Community Chorus performs
Handels Messiah at St. Charles Catholic Church in Hailey. There will be a
repeat performance Dec. 19 at 4:30 p.m. at Our Lady of the Snows Catholic Church in Sun
Valley.
Dont miss the famous and dazzling torchlight parade down the
slopes of Dollar Mountain on Christmas Eve. At 5 p.m., the evening begins with caroling
and Santa at the Sun Valley ice rink and moves later to the base of Dollar Mountain.
Dec. 28-30, the inimitable Company of Fools presents The Thousandth
Night, a one-man show at Haileys Liberty Theater. Show time is at 8 p.m.
The holidays and the last thousand years end New Years Eve with a
Millennium Fireworks Extravaganza and Community Bonfire in Sun Valley and Elkhorn. Roast
marshmallows and warm up with hot chocolate in what the Chamber of Commerce has called
"a wonderful celebration for the entire family."
For more information on:
· The tree-lighting ceremony, call
208-726-8118.
· The gingerbread decorating party, call
208-725-3423.
· Handels Messiah, call
208-622-4774.
· The Thousandth Night, call
208-788-6520.
· The torchlight parade, call
208-622-2195.
· The Millennium Fireworks Extravaganza
and Community Bonfire, call 208-622-2183.