Christmas comes early in Pinehurst

PINEHURST –– A few years ago, Pinehurst didn’t have much going for it during the holidays. There were a few small events, but nothing that brought people to the town.  

This really bothered Miranda Elam, so she did something about it.  

Fast forward a couple of years and the Pinehurst Christmas Festival is one of the Silver Valley’s signature holiday events.  

“I wanted to bring a festival to Pinehurst because I just love my little town, and I love Christmas!” Elam said. “I was upset that we didn't do very much, so I decided to take action, but I couldn't do it without the other volunteers who helped make it amazing.”  

This year, the festival included events like a town-wide scavenger hunt, chili cook-off, gingerbread house and cookie decorating, an open-air market, a hot cocoa station, a tree lighting ceremony, and pictures with Santa. 

But the main event was the annual Christmas Festival Parade.  

“Pinehurst was lit!” Elam said. “We had more entries than ever before, and we had a ton of great feedback and lots of smiling faces.”  

Hundreds gathered to watch the dozens of floats, vehicles, and walkers make their way down Pinehurst’s main drag. From beginning to end, the event was well-received and people are already excited for the festival to return next year.  

“We had so much fun,” Bonnie Parker said. “We had six pounds of candy and ran out before we got halfway through. I can't wait till next year. I thought it was awesome and the people were just amazing. For our little town, it was awesome.”

Elam loves hearing how much people enjoyed the festival, but she was just thankful for the little things, like good weather, helpful volunteers, and things coming together the way they needed to.  

“We were so lucky to have great weather, even though there was no snow,” Elam said. “Our gamble with having the open-air market outdoors paid off. We had our best turnout yet.”  

Elam highlighted one volunteer in particular, who juggled a few different tasks to help make the festival a success.  

“A special shout out to Tresa Johnson,” Elam said. “She is a genius and is so detail-oriented, and an amazing person. She had several tasks she was in charge of, and she pulled it off, and made it look so easy. I think we achieved our goal of turning our little town into our very own Hallmark Christmas movie, if even for a day.”