Troy got south Lincoln County residents geared up for Christmas with its annual tree lighting and arrival of Santa and Mrs. Claus.

For the next few weeks, there are plenty of events ready to get even Scrooge into the holiday spirit.

From 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday at the Troy Activity Center, the Kootenai Kids & Critters 4-H annual Christmas Bazaar will be held. There will be many different crafts to choose from. Food and refreshments will be available all day from the Troy High School Travel Club.

At 6 p.m. Saturday at the Troy Christian Fellowship Church at 78 Lake Creek Road, a spaghetti dinner fundraiser will be held with all the money raised going to Troy Volunteer Ambulance for a new ambulance. There will be a silent auction, dessert dash and all you can eat spaghetti. The suggested donation is $10.

From noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, the Coats for Kids event, sponsored by the Kiwanis of Libby and Troy and the LOR Foundation, will take place at the McGrade Center Gym in Libby.

This weekend, jolly old St. Nick and company will make their annual appearance in Libby.

Beginning at 2 p.m. Saturday, Santa, Mrs. Claus and the Christmas crew will be on the move in Libby city limits handing out small gifts to children. Organizers say to listen for the jingle bells.

Beginning at 4 p.m., at the end of Mineral Avenue in Santa’s village, there will be free goodies for all ages, including coffee, cocoa, eggnog, popcorn, cookies, safety items and more.

At 5 p.m., the Christmas tree will be lit and after that, Santa’s Workshop will be open.

For those seeking some intellectual stimulation and fun, Libby High School will host a Speech, Debate and Drama Invitational on Saturday, Dec. 9.

Rounds will be held at 8 a.m., 10 a.m., noon, 2 p.m. and the finals at 4 p.m.

Also, on Dec. 9, the Memorial Center’s Festival of the Trees Gala will be held from 5:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. It’s a fundraiser for the Cabinet Peaks Medical Center Auxiliary. Tickets may be purchased at 406-291-9479.

Also, that day, the Hidden Chapel, located at 1207 Utah Ave., Libby, is hosting a holiday bazaar from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Hosted by Big Sky Montana Creations, there will be several vendors.

On Thursday, Dec. 14, the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office is hosting its annual Shop with a Cop event.

For more information, call Sgt. Davis at 406-293-4112, ext. 1237 or Loni Harmon at 406-334-0979.

On the weekend of Dec. 15-16, the Heritage Museum Winter Expo will be held from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Friday and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. Direct sales, retail businesses and crafters will have a selection of items and gift certificates for holiday gifting. Also available will be raffle tickets for the fundraising efforts to support the museum.

Then, on Sunday, Dec. 17, the Memorial Center will host a community performance of Handel’s Messiah at 3 p.m.

    Christmas decorations have brightened the neighborhoods of Libby. (Scott Shindledecker/The Western News)