What a remarkable evening the residents in Mineral County had on Saturday in Superior. Frigid as it was, the effervescent feeling of good cheer was everywhere with hundreds of adults, children and dogs attending the first Christmas Tree lighting.

A resident of Superior for 14 years, Julie Prater felt that her town was missing out on some of the Christmas spirit.

“It was a passion of mine to change the narrative at Christmas time of why Superior isn’t lit-up.”

This move to improve started in January after so many people on Facebook posted their disappointment that St. Regis does something and Superior doesn’t.

“We need to be about it, and stop complaining about it,” she posted and her recruitment of helpers with ideas began.

The fundraising started on the Mineral Community Facebook page and it exploded. Jill Betts, ACE Hardware Manager downstairs in Darlows Quality Foods, worked with Prater on the 130 boxes of lights that were paid for with donations from about 12 businesses and 50 individual donors. Prater tried to count how many volunteers were involved but it was too frustrating as she didn’t want to leave anyone out.

“I give 100% credit to Brenda Schneider (town clerk and treasurer) and the city of Superior for the new Christmas decorations on the bridge and streets. You know how it takes a village, well, this is how this came to be,” she said. “I fundraised and the business community or individuals purchased what was needed. We put the lights up on all of the trees here, in front of the courthouse,” as she points while standing on the sidewalk. “Trail West (Bank) did their own decorations on their trees and then the fundraising also covered this big tree,” which is a huge Douglas fir on the corner between the bank and courthouse.

Hidden Horse Outpost, located in the Black Diamond Guest Ranch just east of DeBorgia, donated their Halflinger team of horses and western wagon giving free rides to everyone as the sun faded. Santa (from Butte) donated his time and photos were taken by 4-H and provided free of charge, again from a business donation. 4-H was also selling Christmas wreaths for $20 and from the 400 they started with from last month, it looked like they would be sold out before the official lighting of the tree took place at 5:30 p.m.

The Girl Scouts were taking donations in exchange for hot chocolate and cookies. This transaction was at their table for their Christmas Boxes project. Over 50 air pots of cocoa were dispensed in less than 90 minutes, again, courtesy of a local business.

Christmas music boomed from the sound system provided by the Mineral County Rec Club until the carolers took stage in the bank parking lot.

Prater said, “My heart was that I did not want anybody to not come down due to finances. It’s just meant to be a good old fashioned community event that gets people to come out and have a fun start to the holiday season.”

Donations were in-kind and/or cash and every nickel went to the celebration so the big expenses have been covered meaning the tradition can continue.