MINERAL COUNTY – As the holidays rapidly approach, one community entity in Mineral County is on a mission to begin reviving an old tradition that has fallen by the wayside in recent years.

The Mineral County Chamber of Commerce will host a holiday celebration on Thursday, Dec. 18 beginning at 6:30 p.m. The event will feature refreshments, carolers and a bonfire. MCCC Chair Monte Turner said the event was a way to provide a family friendly event for the community and was also a way to bring back what has been in previous years, a well attended event with widespread participation.

“It has been kind of on hiatus,” Turner said. “It was started by the chamber of commerce. Businesses stayed open and they had cider and cookies. People would stroll around town and there was sometimes a parade and pictures with Santa Claus. It was just a fun family event.”

Turner said the volunteers needed to keep the event going were stretched thin with other projects and thus, Winterfest declined over a matter of years. He said, last year, there was no Winterfest and the chamber was determined to get the event back on track.

“I think the volunteers were flat out exhausted,” Turner said. “This year we are going to have a bonfire and hors devours and carolers from St. Regis. I’m not sure if we will have a Santa Claus. We wanted to have something so we are inviting the entire community. There will be cookie decorating for the kids. It’s all about camaraderie, fellowship and good cheer. And next year, we will try to get Winterfest back on its feet.”

The event will take place near the banks of the Clark Fork River just outside of the chamber building at 102 River St.

Turner also said, prior to the event during the regularly scheduled chamber meeting, the organization will be naming new officers.