Imagine the small town of Grover's Corners from "It's a Wonderful Life," and you'll have an idea of what Hailey feels and looks like during Hailey Hometown Holidays. The celebration will kick off tonight, Dec. 5, with a parade down Main Street, the lighting of the city's Christmas Tree, caroling and music, followed by hot drinks, cider, treats and Santa Claus at the Inn at Ellsworth Estate. All shops will be open late into the evening and will feature specials and discounts.
The parade will begin at 6 p.m., and run from Bullion Square to Roberta McKercher Park where Mayor Rick Davis will light the tree accompanied by caroling from Woodside Children's Choir, directed by Dorinda Rendahl.
Kim Garvin, owner of Vintage Gypsy, began the tradition of incorporating the Hailey Christmas tree lighting night with a party at the Inn at Ellsworth Estate four years ago. Done in her quirky vintage style, the event was such a success that the next year it became a town-wide celebration.
"This is our third holiday parade, and we're going to have twice the amount of floats than last year," Garvin said. "Even Elbie is going to be in it. What's going to be great is the kids from the WRMS Leadership Program pushing their shopping carts down Main Street. And it's going to be above zero, which is a huge improvement over the past couple years when it was so cold."
The event is organized and funded solely on donations from members of the Hailey Chamber of Commerce, the city of Hailey and the South Valley Merchants Alliance.
Built in 1915 for the son of the director of Standard Oil in London and a partner of John D. Rockefeller, the Inn at Ellsworth Estate is a perfect place to celebrate the start of the holidays. It boasts period architecture, a huge fireplace and commodious rooms in which to welcome the whole community.
Builder Jack Rutter constructed many of the buildings in Hailey, some of which are still standing, including the Liberty Theatre. The inn is located at 702 Third Ave. S.
Donate Christmas Tree Lights
Dressed as elves, the Leadership class of 20 students from the Wood River Middle School will collect old strings of Christmas tree lights in shopping carts decorated like sleighs on Friday during the Hailey Hometown Holiday. The old strands will be turned into Idaho Power by the Hailey Chamber, which will receive 10 cents per bulb back. The purpose is to encourage people to junk the old lights with LED strands that are less expensive and better for the environment. After Friday, there will also be boxes at the Hailey Chamber at 309 Main St., Golden Elk, Atkinsons' Market and Albertson's. The deadline to drop-off strands is Sunday, Dec. 14.
The Hailey Hometown Holiday Parade will begin at 6 p.m. tonight Photo by David N. Seelig
