Plains Winter Stroll ushers in the season

As fall loosens its grip and winter settles over Western Montana, it can mean only one thing: the annual Plains Winter Stroll, complete with a parade and the lighting of the town Christmas tree on the greenway along Railroad Street.

Temperatures hovered in the low 20s, and a light dusting of snow covered the ground. Nineteen vendor booths were set up in Fred Young Park and more than 25 parade floats were decorated and ready to spread candy to children lining the route. Holiday decorations along Railroad Street — thanks to the Plains Lions Club and volunteers from NorthWestern Energy — helped set the stage for a full day of celebration.

The festivities began with the Winter Stroll, held in conjunction with Small Business Saturday. This year, 10 local businesses participated. Community members were encouraged to visit each business, collect verification of their stop, and submit their completed stamp cards for prize drawings. Winners were not announced yet by press time.

This marks the fifth year the Spurr family has taken on the roles of Santa and Mrs. Claus during the parade, and Steve Spurr’s tenth year portraying Santa for the community. Spurr, president of the local Lions Club, helps coordinate the Greenway Christmas Lighting event each year.

Santa was on hand to listen to gift requests from local children. The usual requests were toys, dolls and video games, except for one unusual request by 5-year-old Kaysen Bright from Plains. His request was for a vacuum cleaner. 

“That was the oddest request during the evening,” Santa commented.

Marv and Margo Tanner held their traditional post at the Lions booth on the greenway, handing out baked potatoes and long sticks for marshmallow roasting. Two fire pits were available for roasting and due to the cold temperatures, both stayed busy throughout the evening.

The Cancer Network of Sanders County (CNSC) was also on hand to host its annual lantern launch in memory of cancer victims. Lanterns were available for purchase at $10 each. Hot chocolate and cider helped keep visitors warm, and CNSC raffled off holiday wreaths crafted by the organization’s secretary, Sue Johnson. Because of high winds, only one lantern could be launched during the event. Organizers tentatively rescheduled the remainder of the launch for Dec. 12. 

The first Lantern Launch was held Dec 31, 2011, at the Sanders County Fairgrounds and was moved to the Plains greenway in 2023.

    Mr. and Mrs. Claus pass out candy with little helpers Sunny Siebert and Kendall Spurr during the parade down Railroad Street in Plains. (Tracy Scott/Valley Press)
  

    Madison Sturdivant learns the fine art of marshmallow roasting. (Tracy Scott/Valley Press)
  

    Cancer Network of Sanders County volunteer Tom Wachob launches a lantern in memory of a cancer victim. (Tracy Scott/Valley Press)