Parade of Lights Saturday, concludes weekend of festivities

WORLAND — “A Storybook Christmas” will be lit up during Worland’s Christmas Parade of Lights Saturday down main street.

The route begins at the future Kennedy Ace Hardware (former Shopko) and continues down Big Horn Avenue to Railway.

There are three categories for the parade — Large business (more than 20 employees), small business (fewer than 20 employees) and club, church or individual. Entries are being accepted at the Worland-Ten Sleep Chamber of Commerce office until noon Friday. The office for the chamber is at 401 N. 10th.

The parade, which is sponsored by the chamber, begins at 6 p.m. There were 18 entries as of Monday with the deadline to enter this Friday at noon.

There will also be a free chili feed served near Pioneer Square on Ninth Street between Big Horn and Robertson. That block will be closed to traffic from 3:30 p.m. until after the parade. The free chili supper will be served up by members of the Ministerial Association from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m.

Chamber board member Deb Larkins informed the council that a fireworks display by Ron’s Fireworks would also be set off again this year. They were working on being able to set off some fireworks during the parade. She said Ron Study was working with Worland Fire Chief Chris Kocher. The rest of the fireworks would be set off immediately following the parade.

Prior to the chili feed, from 3-5 p.m. Santa and Mrs. Claus will be at Pioneer Square to listen to what boys and girls want for Christmas. Parents are welcome to take their own photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus and sign up to win a 20-inch bicycle, boys and girls, donated by Larsen’s Bicycles, NAPA and Sunlight Federal Credit Union.

FESTIVAL OF TREES

The weekend festivities begin with the 34th annual Pinnacle Bank Festival of Trees. Last year the event raised $17,725 to donate to various community charities and non-profit organizations.

The Festival of Trees is a two-day event that begins with the live auction on Friday night of fully decorates trees, wreaths and other Christmas décor decorated and donated by area businesses and organizations. People may begin looking at all the auction items starting at 5 p.m. at the Worland Community Center. The auction will begin at 6 p.m.

Saturday the public can view the items in the large gym at the community center, along with enjoying live entertainment from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. There will also be concessions available. The entertainment lineup as of Tuesday was slated to start with Ty Miller, followed by Willie and Amy Wright, “A Christmas Carol” choir, Worland High School choir, Worland High School cheerleaders and Julie Adams.

This Saturday is also the Worland Kiwanis Club Breakfast with Santa. For a small fee people can enjoy a breakfast and then have their photo taken with Santa, for an additional fee. All proceeds go to support the club’s local charities.

The event runs from 8-11 a.m. at the Worland Senior Citizens Center, 300 S. 14th.

Kings Carpet One will be having an open house prior to and during the lighted parade with refreshments, live music by Garret Randolph and five local craft vendors from 5 to 8 p.m.