Hometown Holiday Festival kicks off in Wallace

WALLACE — The streets of Wallace are buzzing with Christmas cheer as this weekend kicks off the town’s Hometown Holiday Festival and will continue on to next Friday and Saturday as well.

This annual two weekend tradition will focus around Wallace’s friendly small town atmosphere, as visitors will be welcome to shop local businesses and participate in a list of activities for Christmas lovers of all ages.

As in years past, the Northern Pacific Railroad Depot Museum will start things off, hosting a local vendor craft fair each of the four days from 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Visitors are also encouraged to grab a map and make their rounds to all of the local businesses participating in the Shop Wallace event.

Each participating business will be hosting a Christmas themed activity for families to enjoy, such as cookie decorating, writing letters to Santa, or making Christmas ornaments for their tree at home.

Wallace Chamber of Commerce Coordinator David Copelan said that the willingness and involvement of the Wallace businesses is exactly what gives this festival it’s special feel.

“Wallace sells itself on the fact that it’s not corporate,” he explained. “It’s all small businesses, so it gives you a different level of service because we’re all out here participating just trying to make the holidays special.”

All four days of the festival will offer a main event during the day, such as the Tree lighting ceremony held tonight starting at 6 p.m., breakfast with Santa at the Dayrock this Saturday from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., a lighted Christmas parade on Friday, Dec. 10 starting at 6 p.m., and a paw parade on Saturday, Dec. 11 at noon.

Hayrides through town will also start at 5 p.m. each night of the festival, followed by folks gathering around burn barrels for hot cocoa at the Jameson.

“People are always searching for an authentic experience and it doesn't get much more authentic than this,” Coplan said.