A dusting of snow earlier in the week was a precursor to holiday events ahead including Thanksgiving morning’s annual Turkey Trot Fun Run benefiting Toys for Tots and, next Saturday, the annual Christmas in Lake City frolic jointly sponsored by Hinsdale County Chamber of Commerce and Downtown Improvement & Revitalization Team.
Christmas in Lake City festivities are held throughout the day Saturday, December 2, starting in the Armory at 11 a.m. when Sandy Hines once again heads up a glittering array of holiday crafts-making opportunities for children of all ages. Holiday cakes will also be on display in the Armory and awarded to winners in a cakewalk which will be held at 1p.m. Saturday.
Participating Lake City area businesses will open their doors to shoppers in search of unique holiday gifts, many of the stores also offering warm refreshments and holiday snacks.
Among Lake City non-profits open for Christmas in Lake City is Hinsdale County Museum, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, with refreshments and a tantalizing array of Christmas stocking selections, including a large selection of Lake City area history books.
Down the street at Lake City Arts in the Hough Block, Pioneer Jubilee Women’s Club will be displaying themed gift baskets, holiday decor, and gourmet baked goods as part of the club’s annual Holiday Silent Auction benefiting Toys for Tots. According to Karen Shaw, who is coordinating this year’s women’s club fundraiser, silent auction items will be on display in Lake City Arts’ Anthony Gallery starting at noon on Saturday. Shoppers are invited to stop by to peruse the colorful profusion and then fill out bid sheets which will be on display with each item. High bid winners will be announced after close of bidding at 6:30 p.m., proceeds added to Hinsdale Sheriff’s Department’s Toys for Tots campaign furnishing toys and warm winter clothing to Lake City area children.
After inspecting gift baskets at Anthony Gallery, Christmas in Lake City strollers may wish to amble over to Lake City Park where — snow or sun — throwing competition in the Fruit Cake Toss. Moist and delicious morsels of fruit cake will be unwrapped and wadded into balls which will be tossed across prescribed distances in the park according to age category.
Fruit Cake Toss begins in the park at 2 p.m. Following the Fruitcake Toss, there is a brief lull in activities, allowing more shopping at area business in advance of a literal highlight of the festivities, the Holiday Light Parade which is once again overseen by Lake City GCEA lineman Brent Boyce. Brightly lit floats on flatbeds forming a stately procession will line up on Second Street adjacent to Lake City Brewing Co. and Hinsdale County Museum starting around 5 p.m. on Saturday. The festival procession sets off at 5:30 p.m., proceeding down Second Street for a bright light parade down Gunnison Avenue and then back up Silver Street to Lake City Park. This year’s parade theme, according to beaming Boyce is “Merry and BRIGHT”.
There is no entry charge for illuminated floats — and, predictably, an appearance or two by Santa, Mrs. Claus, and reindeer may be expected — and a $50 cash prize will be awarded to the best float. Saturday evening’s light parade ends at Lake City Park in time for the gala 6 p.m. Tree Lighting Ceremony.
Lake City Mayor Dave Roberts will read a salutatory Christmas Proclamation and formal unveiling of the Town Park Christmas tree. The Silver Street spruce tree will then be illuminated to applause on Saturday evening accompanied by holiday carols which will be sung by Lake City elementary students under the patient and tuneful instruction of school instructors Lily Virden and Caitlin Rhodes. Warm refreshments — hot cocoa, cider, and coffee — will be served up by Hinsdale Chamber of Commerce during the tree lighting ceremony.
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