The 13th Annual Parade of Lights will take place this Saturday, December 5, 2015 in Downtown Missoula.

  Santa will arrive in Downtown at 1 pm at the Historic Florence Building (111 N. Higgins) and will be available for photos and wish lists throughout the afternoon.

Produced by the Missoula Downtown Association and sponsored by Liquid Planet and Datsopoulos, McDonald and Lind and 16 additional businesses, the Parade of Lights will commence at 6 pm and travel from the Hip Strip north on Higgins to the Red XXXXs. The Lighting of the Downtown Tree will happen immediately thereafter.
 
The Parade of Lights draws thousands of folks to Downtown Missoula each year for the official kickoff of the holiday season. There are five award categories and parade entrants will be judged on overall appearance and impression, originality and creativity, use of lights, and enthusiasm. Award categories include Civic/Non-Profit, Commercial, Religious, High School/Collegiate, and K-8. Category winners receive an engraved plaque and will be promoted through the MDA newsletter and local media.
 
More than 20 Downtown destinations will host free or small fee ($1-$10) activities for children and their families to enjoy. Activities include:
 
Hip Holiday Market................................................... 10 am-5 pm......................................... Lowell School
Story Time.................................................................. 11 am................................... Missoula Public Library
Beaded Snowflake Making...................................... 12-3 pm............................... Bathing Beauties Beads
Christmas Card Making............................................ 12-3 pm............................................................... ZACC
Popcorn Garland Making......................................... 12-3 pm.................................................... KornUtopia
Snowman Craft.......................................................... 12:30-2 pm............... Children’s Museum Missoula
Horse Drawn Rides................................................... 1-5 pm.............................................. East Pine Street
Family Yoga................................................................ 12-2:40 pm...................................... Hot House Yoga
Holiday Braids, Bows & Buns for Kids.................... 12-3 pm................................... Boom Swagger Salon
Letters to Santa......................................................... 1-3 pm........................... Noteworthy Paper & Press
Drop-in Holiday Workshop..................................... 1-3 pm................................... Missoula Art Museum
Drop In Crafts............................................................ 1-4 pm................................. Missoula Public Library
DIY Ornament Making.............................................. 1-5 pm.......................................................... Upcycled
Cookie Decorating.................................................... 1-5 pm............................................ Bernice’s Bakery
S’more Making & Carousel Rides........................... 1-5 pm.................................... Carousel for Missoula
Classic Holiday Films................................................. 1-5 pm................................................... Roxy Theater
Santa Cookie Plate Making with the ZACC............ 2-4 pm.................................... Black Coffee Roasting
Chromatography & Neuron Making...................... 2-5 pm............................ SpectrUM Science Center
String Ornaments...................................................... 2-5 pm..................................................... La Stella Blu
Fortune Telling & Palm Reading............................. 3-5 pm.................................................. Betty’s Divine
Cupcake Decorating................................................. 3-5 pm......................................... Taste Buds Kitchen
Games, Face Painting, Card Making....................... 4-6 pm....................... Community of Saint Columba
 
The bonfire will be lit at 5 pm by Boy Scout Troop #1910, the Christian Life Center Choir will serenade the crowd, and there will be free coffee, cocoa, and cookies for all.

 

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