Downtown Ketchum will come alive this weekend, as Santa Claus, Christmas carolers and a string of ponies set up shop across the street from Giacobbi Square shopping center.
The event—called "A Ketchum Christmas"—will take place from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 4, on the city-owned parking lot at the corner of Fourth Street and East Avenue.
All day Saturday, about two dozen stores in Ketchum will offer discounts of up to 20 percent on selected merchandise.
At 3:30 p.m., Santa will kick off the Christmas celebration when he arrives at the scene in a fire truck. He will be joined by carolers, a band, and revelers serving hot chocolate and Christmas cookies.
For the first hour, kids will be able to have their photo taken with Santa. In addition, they will be invited to pet a group of friendly ponies.
Organized by local retailers and the Sun Valley-Ketchum Chamber & Visitors Bureau, the event is designed in part to encourage Wood River Valley residents to shop locally, instead of driving to distant cities or malls.
Over the next two weeks, including Saturday, retailers affiliated with the Chamber will reward shoppers who spend $25 or more by doling out a free ticket for a raffle drawing that will be held in downtown Ketchum on Saturday, Dec. 18.
Prizes for the raffle include a $1000 shopping spree with Chamber gift certificates and two round-trip tickets from Hailey to Oakland or Los Angeles on Horizon Air.
For details on the event or the raffle, call Stefany at the Chamber, 725-2105.
