Volunteers hang winter decorations downtown
HEIDI DESCH | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 4 years, 7 months AGO
Rosie Hansen and Robin Paone hold up one of the strands of garland downtown Sunday morning. (Heidi Desch/Whitefish Pilot)
Volunteers hang the winter decorations downtown Sunday morning. Among those assisting are a crew from Flathead Electric Co-op. (Heidi Desch/Whitefish Pilot)
Volunteers hang the winter decorations downtown Sunday morning. (Heidi Desch/Whitefish Pilot)
Volunteers hang the winter decorations downtown Sunday morning. (Heidi Desch/Whitefish Pilot)
Volunteers hang the winter decorations downtown Sunday morning. (Heidi Desch/Whitefish Pilot)
Volunteers hang the winter decorations downtown Sunday morning. (Heidi Desch/Whitefish Pilot)
Volunteers hang the winter decorations downtown Sunday morning. (Heidi Desch/Whitefish Pilot)
Volunteers hang the winter decorations downtown Sunday morning. (Heidi Desch/Whitefish Pilot)
Ayva Orr, 7, and Theo Orr, 5, delivered cookies to volunteers hanging the winter decorations downtown on Sunday morning. (Heidi Desch/Whitefish Pilot)
DEPUTY EDITOR, FEATURES Heidi Desch is the Deputy Editor at the Daily Inter Lake, overseeing coverage of arts, culture, lifestyle, community, and business. Desch leads reporters in developing stories that highlight the people, traditions, and events shaping Northwest Montana, guiding content across print and digital platforms. With more than 20 years of journalism experience, including serving as managing editor of the Whitefish Pilot, Desch is a graduate of the University of Montana School of Journalism. She has received multiple Montana Newspaper Association awards, including part of the team leading the Daily Inter Lake to Best Daily Newspaper in Montana Award and the General Excellence Award in 2024 and 2025. IMPACT: Heidi’s work connects readers with stories that deepen the understanding of the community beyond daily news. | November 21, 2021 10:00 AM
Volunteers Sunday morning hoisted up the garland punctuated with red bells, snowflakes and wreaths that have become an iconic winter scene in Whitefish.
The lighted garland was strung across the streets signaling the beginning of the holiday season. The decorations are a tradition that have brightened town for more than 50 years.
A group of dedicated volunteers have been repairing, replacing, improving and hanging and taking down those same decorations every winter season.
The nonprofit Whitefish Shines takes donations for the materials to keep the tradition alive. To donate to the decoration project, Whitefish Shines, P.O. Box 695 Whitefish, MT 59937.
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