WALLACE — Some holiday spirit is heading to Wallace today as Home for the Holidays kicks off.

Valerie Finlay, president of the Wallace Chamber of Commerce said the chamber’s seasonal celebration has been going on for more than a decade and has evolved a lot as the years have gone on.

“The first two weekends in December, we have all of these things going on. It’s a lot of work, but it’s pulling itself together. It’s not a fundraiser, it’s just us giving back to the community and getting people into the shops to support local businesses,” Finlay said. 

Tonight’s festivities encourage people to enjoy meandering around town and many of the businesses will host little craft stations so people can make things as they travel from shop to shop.

“Last year, we kind of adopted the big tree at Samuels Park right across from City Hall and we have had the tree lighting there. This year, we’re actually having the new Wallace Girl Scout troop entertain us with some Christmas carols and then we’ll light up the tree and go warm up,” Finlay said.

Some of the highlights of the event spanning two weekends include a tree lighting, Miss and and Master Snowflake Pageant, pictures with Santa, ornament making, booze “cruise” for adults 21 and older, caroling, Christmas parade, Paw Parade, ornament-making and performances of “Ho, Ho, Ho, Santa’s Got the Blues” at the Sixth Street Melodrama.

This year’s Snowflake pageant has 17 girls between the ages of 6 and 8 participating from Silver Hills Elementary.

“It’s the shortened version of a pageant, an introduction, a talent show, and an interview. It’s going to be so much fun to have all these little girls doing all these talents,” Finlay said.

The winner gets a crown from Idaho Silver and gets to ride in the parade with Santa.

The Booze “Cruise” takes place Saturday, Dec. 2, and is a landlocked pub crawl for participants.

The second weekend of holiday events commences with Santa photos at the intersection of Sixth and Cedar followed by caroling on the lawn of the Stardust Motel.

“It’s mostly about promoting shopping downtown, staying local, and finding those unique gifts with all of our businesses,” Finlay said.

From there, the festivities will go right into the Christmas Parade, which will feature the theme “Santa’s little helpers.”

Rather than herding cats, the Paw Parade organized by Cindy Lien will showcase costumed dogs in a procession that included 70 pooches last year. 

“It was super fun, and she does a great job of getting all of those animals rounded up. This year, the chamber is going to give out some prizes,” Finlay said.

If you go:

Friday, Dec. 1

10 a.m.-5 p.m. Shop local

5 p.m. Christmas tree lighting at Samuels Park

Saturday, Dec. 2

9 a.m. Breakfast with Santa

10 a.m. Snowflake pageant at the Elks Lodge

Noon Santa arrives to take photos at the Stockbridge Museum

2-4 p.m. ornament making at the Stockbridge Museum

2-4 p.m. craft downtown in various businesses

3-5 p.m. Santa photos at 6th and Cedar streets

6-9 p.m. Holiday Booze “Cruise” (for ages 21 and over only)

Friday, Dec. 8

2-5 p.m. Santa photos at 6th and Cedar streets

3-5 p.m. caroling outside the Stardust Motel

6 p.m. Home for the Holidays lighted parade

7 p.m. Christmas show Sixth Street Melodrama 

Saturday, Dec. 9

Noon Paw Parade (participants line up at the Elks Lodge)

1-3 p.m. arrival of Santa and photos at the Stockbridge Museum

2-4 p.m. ornament making at the Stockbridge Museum

7 p.m. Christmas show Sixth Street Melodrama

Sunday, Dec. 10

2 p.m. Christmas show Sixth Street Melodrama

For a full list of events, visit https://business.wallaceid.fun/calendar.

Dave Smith, Hecla Lucky Friday Mine, the Wallace Huckleberry Festival, and the Barnard-Stockbridge Museum sponsored the holiday festivities.