Watford to kick off start of the holiday season on Friday
By Tina Foreman
Farmer Staff Writer
Christmas is just around the corner and Watford City is gearing up for the holidays like never before with tons of family fun as Christmas is a Family Tradition!
McKenzie County residents and visitors will be treated to all of their favorite holiday events and promotions in downtown Watford City this holiday season.
It all begins Friday, Nov. 27 at 4:30 p.m. with the 4-H Spudfest fundraiser. Area 4-Hers will be at the old Carl’s Bakery preparing baked potatoes with all the trimmings. If you can’t get away to get your spud, deliveries are available to local businesses and takeout orders can be placed by calling 570-2611.
After you’ve filled up on a hot baked potato or two you’ll want to stick around for the annual Parade of Lights at 6:30 p.m. The glow will be seen for miles as area businesses and groups light up Main Street with their unique holiday floats. Each float is expected to be bright and festive as groups hope to steal the traveling trophy from McKenzie Electric, last year’s winner for Best Parade Entry.
This year’s Parade of Lights will be kicked off with a special presentation as a Sky Lantern launch is set to start the parade.
Sky Lanterns are mini hot air balloons that once launched, have been known to travel as far as 1,500 miles. Jerry Samuelson is selling Sky Lanterns in different colors to help raise money for Operation Comfort Warriors and the American Legion National Emergency Fund.
“For the parade, people can write messages on the lanterns if they wish and we will launch them all from Main Street,” adds Carolyn Levang. “The Chamber decided to add the Sky Lanterns to the parade because we felt that Jerry is raising money for a good cause and we wanted to help him out.”
The Sky Lanterns can be purchased for $7.50 each or two for $10. They are available at the American Legion, McKenzie County Bank, Dakota West Credit Union, BNC National Bank, First International Bank & Trust, Larsen Service Drug and from Samuelson at the McKenzie County Veterans Service Office.
The fun doesn’t end with the parade. That is if you think winning money is fun. The Watford City Area Chamber of Commerce will be giving away $1,000 in Watford City Bucks during four $250 drawings. Each Chamber business will have a drawing box so you can sign up throughout the week. The drawings will be held on Dec.1,8,15 and 22.
For your shopping pleasure, downtown stores will be open until 8 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays beginning Dec. 1 and Sundays from 1 to 4 p.m. You’ll want to check out each store for special holiday drawings and promotions during their extended hours.
If you’re not in the holiday shopping spirit, the songs of local carolers are sure to boost your mood. Carolers will be singing up and down Main Street Tuesday and Thursday evenings in December.
Of course, we all know that the festivities of Christmas are really for the kids, and the Watford City Area Chamber of Commerce didn’t leave them out. It all starts with Wake Up Santa at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 5. Santa has to travel all night to get to Watford City, so when the kids arrive at the Watford City High School Commons Area to visit him he is always snoring away. But that’s not a problem, because the kids of Watford City know just how to wake him up. After waking up Santa the kids will each have a chance to visit with him and get their picture taken.
After Wake Up Santa, the kids can give mom and dad a break when they attend a movie. Free movies will be offered for kids of all ages at 6 Shooters’ ShowHall & Cafe at 1 p.m. Showing will be The Santa Claus Dec. 5, Christmas Vacation on Dec. 12 and A Christmas Story on Dec. 19. Movies are free to all participants and concessions will be available to purchase.
Also for the kids, will be Christmas Story Time at Larsen Service Drug. Christmas Stories will be read at 7 p.m. every night the store is open late. Kids are invited to gather at the soda fountain for a story and hot chocolate.
If your kids have shopping to do, Kids Shopping Day on Dec. 15 is the way to get it done. All you have to do is give your kids money and a list of who they are shopping for and downtown store clerks will help them with the rest.
Christmas is coming and the Watford City Area Chamber of Commerce wants you to remember that Christmas is a Family Tradition.