The elves began assembling in September to string lights for Ronan’s epic Lights Under the Big Sky, an event that draws hundreds of visitors from the Mission Valley and beyond to the fairgrounds. This year’s event kicks off with the Parade of Lights at 6 p.m. Friday, Dec. 9, in downtown Ronan, which delivers Santa to his cozy cabin at the fairgrounds where he and Mrs. Claus preside over festivities from 5-9 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, through Dec. 17.

One of the chief elves (and project manager at the fairgrounds), Sjaan Vincent, says the event continues to flourish as it enters year five.

“Our idea was to create a local venue that would be affordable, festive and fun and not just a community builder but a valley builder,” she says. “I think we’ve hit a home run. Folks that attend are from all over western Montana and sometimes out of state.”

The event took root after six locals attended a similar event near Polson. After a thorough site visit, “we came back and looked at each other scared spitless and said ‘well, think we can pull this off?’”

Like the proverbial snowball, the event keeps gaining momentum, which Vincent attributes to “tremendous community support” from an army of volunteers, businesses and sponsors.

Now, tens of thousands of lights blaze each December. Access Montana, which helped launch the event, continues to arrive each season with a bucket truck to help illuminate those hard-to-reach spots, including the apex of a 25-foot-tall tipi.

The elf crew always dreams up a few new displays, says Vincent. “A lot of the bones are the same, but we really try to change up what’s in the middle.”

New this year are wagon rides with the Live Oak Belgians of St. Ignatius. For a small fee, visitors can tour the grounds pulled by a team of draft horses, harnessed three abreast. The team also pulls the Parade of Lights entry and may even be tasked with escorting Santa to the fairgrounds.

Also new is the Rescue Dog hotdog booth, which will offer gourmet hotdogs to visitors on the final weekend of the lighting extravaganza, Dec. 16-17.

The event offers a flurry of free fun for youngsters. Premier Portable Buildings supplies a red cabin with a porch where Santa and Mrs. Claus take up residence. Mrs. Claus greets kids at the door with a basket of candy canes, and her husband sits in his rocking chair by the fireplace and “listens very carefully” as kids share their Christmas lists.

Mission Valley Ice Arena’s crew brings equipment, coaches and expertise for broomball games around the fire pit. Pablo Baptist Church and Zero to Five offer games, crafts and face painting in the Kids’ Zone, while the Ronan Library shares Christmas stories from 6-7 p.m. each night in the community center.

This year’s Christmas Market showcases works by up to 25 local artisans. “It’s a great opportunity for them to capture a few off-season dollars and for shoppers to pick up some great stocking stuffers and last-minute gifts,” says Vincent.

Musicians also perform, beginning at 6 p.m. nightly.

The Faith Lutheran Church shares sweet treats at their confection booth while the 4-H booth provides concessions. Coffee, hot cider and hot chocolate are also available.

Admission is just $4 per person of $20 for a family of six or more, and free for ages 4 and under.

As for the elves, they’ll be busy tweaking the display until the last possible moment. “We start in September and we’re still hanging lights at the last minute,” says Vincent. “We want Ronan to be a destination, so for four nights in December we are where it’s at.”

For more information, head to bigskylights.org.