Boulder’s annual Christmas Parade takes place this Friday night, Dec. 6 — and if it is anything like last year’s inaugural event, it will be a blast.
I drove my ugly (but dependable) 1977 Chevy Blazer in the parade last year, and the old girl will enjoy a return engagement this year. I thought the truck looked cool with lights and a Christmas wreath, but it did not hold a candle to the many amazing floats, trucks, and other vehicles extravagantly decorated by area residents. What a great job by so many participants.
And I’ll bet the parade will be bigger and better this year. If you weren’t in on the fun last year, round up some lights and tinsel, get creative and bring your entry to Hauser Street at 5:30 p.m. The parade starts at 6 p.m. and travels down Main Street, returning to Veterans Park for the Lighting Festival and Celebration. What a great way to get into the holiday spirit and celebrate the season.
In the south end of Jefferson County, the annual Whitehall Christmas Stroll is Saturday, Dec. 7 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Community Center, 11 N. Division Street. This is a big deal — with vendors, business bingo, in-stores specials, veterans chili feed, wreath auction, photos with Santa, hay rides and much more.
The Christmas Stroll is a presentation of the Montana Western Legacy Center. If you haven’t visited the Legacy Center and Trading Post, it’s a must-visit the next time you are in Whitehall, with a multitude of displays and great holiday shopping. It’s located in the old Town Pump, just across from the new Town Pump; for more information visit www.westernlegacycenter.com.
The Legacy Center will host its annual Cowboy Christmas Dinner on Saturday, Dec. 14 at the Whitehall Community Center. The dinner will feature the Deb Greenough World Champion Bronc Rider Bronze unveiling. For more information call (406) 266-1276.
With the holiday season upon us, Jefferson County Radio will air “sounds of the season” beginning Friday, Dec. 6, and continuing through Christmas Day. In Boulder you can find Jefferson County Radio at 105.9 FM. It also broadcasts at 98.3 FM in Basin, 100.3 FM in Jefferson City, 105.9 FM in Montana City and Clancy, 103.7 FM in Elk Park, 106.1 FM in Cardwell and 106.5 FM in Whitehall.
Jefferson County Radio plays classic country music 24 hours a day, and feature community news, public service announcements, special events and high school sports. Most importantly, in the event of local or regional emergencies, weather, and traffic issues, Jefferson County radio will make special announcements as needed.
As we are closing out 2024, the County events team is getting ready for the 2025 season. The Jefferson County Fairgrounds/Recreation Park will be the site of Skijoring the Big Rock on Friday, Jan. 31 through Sunday, Feb. 2. More on this unique Montana event in future issues of the Monitor.
Meantime, please visit www.discoverjeffersonmt.org for all you need to know about beautiful Jefferson County.
Binkowski is Jefferson County’s events director.
