Serving the Big Horn Basin for over 100 years
Serving the Big Horn Basin for over 100 years
The 2020 Trim A Tree Pioneer Square Lighting Ceremony was quiet this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic with no Christmas music, no Santa Claus visit, no refreshments. There were, however, plenty of lights with the most Christmas lights and the most trees decorated in Pioneer Square since the event began three years ago. The lights at the park, at the corner of Big Horn and 10th, will be lit through January 2021. Results of the tree lighting contest will be announced this week.
WORLAND - The Worland-Ten Sleep Chamber of Commerce Worland Christmas Lighted Parade and visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus will be this Saturday, Dec. 5.
The parade begins at 6 p.m. with the usually route down Big Horn Avenue starting at 20th Street and going to Railway Avenue. The parade begins with a helicopter flyover of the downtown and will end with the traditional fireworks in the lot at the corner of Third and Big Horn.
Chamber President Steve Radabaugh said parade entries need to begin lining up at 5 p.m. As of Friday there were 10 entries but Radabaugh said most entries come in the week of the parade.
Prizes will be awarded for People's Choice, small business (20 or fewer employees) and large business (more than 20 employees) and individual/group/non-profit organization. Voting will be online starting Sunday with links found at the chamber's Facebook page and website.
Voting will end Tuesday, Dec. 8.
Prior to the parade and riding on the Worland Volunteer Fire Department's ladder truck Santa and Mrs. Claus will be downtown talking to children safely on the phone.
The Clauses will be set up at 834 Big Horn Avenue (the former Wyoming Weatherization building). There will be a phone outside for children to call and talk to Santa who will be inside and can be seen through the window.
Santa will be available to talk to children from 3 to 5 p.m.
There will be no photos of children on Santa's lap due to COVID-19 restrictions but parents can take a photo of their child with Santa in the background behind the window.
Another COVID change is the cancelation of the free chili dinner, Radabaugh said.
During the parade, he said participants in the parade can throw out candy from their float. Those walking along the parade route and handing out items personally to parade watchers must wear a mask, Radabaugh said.
This year the chamber is giving away certificates for free bicycles. Children can enter to win at Santa's phone booth.
Radabaugh encourages everyone to come out and enjoy the parade, "It should be good, safe, normal thing for us to do as a community," he said.
