Santa rolls into town to kick off holiday season
CAROLINE LOBSINGER | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 5 days, 2 hours AGO
Santa listens to a group of local youth after asking what they would like to get for Christmas. The Jolly Old Elf arrived at the community's annual tree lighting ceremony with a little help from the Sandpoint Police Department.
Photo by CAROLINE LOBSINGER
Santa hands a candy cane to a local youth after asking what they would like for Christmas at the community's annual tree lighting ceremony.
A Sandpoint fire trucks makes its way to the Jeff Jones Town Square with a special guest for Friday's tree lighting celebration as local youth wait in anticipation.
Community residents gather around Sandpoint's town Christmas tree after the lights were turned on.
Santa listens as a local youth explains what he wants for Christmas.
Santa listens as a local youth explains what he wants for Christmas.
Santa listens as a local youth explains what he wants for Christmas.
Santa listens as a local youth explains what he wants for Christmas.
Santa listens as a local youth explains what he wants for Christmas.
Local youths pose for a photo while waiting for Santa Claus to arrive at the community's annual tree lighting ceremony on Friday.
Members of the Sandpoint High School Ponderettes dance team perform at the community tree lighting celebration Friday at Jeff Jones Town Square.
Members of the Sandpoint High School Ponderettes dance team perform at the community tree lighting celebration Friday at Jeff Jones Town Square.
I grew up in the Tri-Cities, Wash., and have always loved to write. I attended the University of Washington, where I earned a double major in journalism and political science, with an area of emphasis in history. I am the fifth out of six kids — don't believe any of the stories that my siblings tell. To be able to tell others stories and take photos for a living is a dream come true — and I considered myself blessed to be a community journalist. When I am not working, I enjoy spending time with family and friends, hiking and spending time outdoors, genealogy, reading, and watching the UW Huskies and the Seattle Seahawks. I am a servant to my cat, Frankie, who yes, will eat anything and everything in sight … even wedding cookies. | November 30, 2025 1:00 AM
SANDPOINT — With the Jolly Old Elf's arrival by fire truck at the community's annual Christmas tree lighting celebration, it's officially the Christmas season in Santa-Point, Idaho-ho-ho.
Hundreds of people packed Jeff Jones Town Square to sing carols, watch the lights on the community's 35-foot-tall Christmas tree come on and welcome Santa as he arrived at the celebration thanks to a little help from the Sandpoint Fire Department.
In welcoming the crowd, Sandpoint Mayor Jeremy Grimm said the annual tree lighting celebration is made possible by the many businesses and volunteers from downtown businesses and the Greater Sandpoint Chamber of Commerce.
"It's a pretty special event," Grimm told the crowd filled with kids of all ages. "It's a pretty special town, and a pretty special time of the year."
Held Friday, immediately after Thanksgiving Day, Grimm told the crowd that the event is a good reminder of the many things area residents have to be grateful for.
"I don't know what you're grateful for, but it starts with the basics, clean water, police, fire, streets and teachers and nurses, doctors and many, many, many others."
He welcomed area residents to the celebration as well as any visitors joining in the community's annual tree lighting. For all, community members or visitors, the holiday season is a special time in Sandpoint, Grimm told those gathered.
"It's a season of family, food, lights and spirituality," he said. "Just enjoy our community and thanks for making it what it is, because Sandpoint isn't Sandpoint without all of you."
As excitement built while waiting for Santa's arrival, hundreds of excited youngsters of all ages packed the square for the annual tree lighting ceremony. Families gathered around the yet-to-be-lit Christmas tree, enjoying cookies and hot chocolate as they waited for Santa to arrive.
As the clock ticked toward 6 p.m., news began to spread that Santa had to land his sleigh in a less congested area and was on his way, thanks to the help of local firefighters who brought him to the square on one of their fire trucks.
As the clock inched closer to Santa's arrival, anxious youngsters lined the sidewalks, shyly waving "hello" while bundled in winter coats and beanies.
Within a few minutes, the Jolly Old Elf himself was stepping out of the bright red fire truck, welcomed by excited area youth — and an elf security squad was on hand to ensure everything was merry and bright.
Soon, Santa was seated in a chair of honor and the line of local youngsters waiting to tell the Jolly Old Elf what they wanted for Christmas stretched from the town square almost to Cedar Street.
Some wanted tech-based items, from an Apple Watch and iPhones to new computers, and others wanted Legos, toy cars or dolls. Others asked for video games, cameras or their favorite movie.
Gravely listening, Santa smiled and asked if each youth had been good and whether they were being nice to Mom and Dad. Most said yes without hesitation, while others said they were doing their best.
Led by Jack Peterson of KRFY Community Radio, residents of all ages filled the area around the tree — centered where the fountain sits in the summertime — and counted backward from 10, breaking out in cheers and applause as the lights flared on, filling the town square with Christmas cheer.
Soon after the lights were turned on the tree, which was decorated by the elves at the Sandpoint Parks and Recreation Department, Santa took a break from making toys at the North Pole to visit with local youth.
The celebration was sponsored in part by HMH Engineering, BNSF Railway, Idaho Forest Group, Lake Life Wellness Center, and Tomlinson Sotheby's International Realty.
The annual visit marks the start of the holiday season in Sandpoint as the lights on the town Christmas tree were switched on for the first time this season.
Santa hands a candy cane to a local youth after asking what they would like for Christmas at the community's annual tree lighting ceremony.
A Sandpoint fire trucks makes its way to the Jeff Jones Town Square with a special guest for Friday's tree lighting celebration as local youth wait in anticipation.
Community residents gather around Sandpoint's town Christmas tree after the lights were turned on.
Santa listens as a local youth explains what he wants for Christmas.
Santa listens as a local youth explains what he wants for Christmas.
Santa listens as a local youth explains what he wants for Christmas.
Santa listens as a local youth explains what he wants for Christmas. Santa listens as a local youth explains what he wants for Christmas.
Local youths pose for a photo while waiting for Santa Claus to arrive at the community's annual tree lighting ceremony on Friday.
Members of the Sandpoint High School Ponderettes dance team perform at the community tree lighting celebration Friday at Jeff Jones Town Square.
Members of the Sandpoint High School Ponderettes dance team perform at the community tree lighting celebration Friday at Jeff Jones Town Square.ARTICLES BY CAROLINE LOBSINGER
'Tots' drive picking up steam
Join the Sandpoint Lions Toys for Tots campaign and help make Christmas merry for local children. With a $75,000 goal, donations provide toys and gift cards for families in need across the Lake Pend Oreille School District. Sign up by Dec. 12 and donate today to spread holiday cheer!
'Tots' helps Christmas spirit bloom bright
Join the Sandpoint Lions Toys for Tots campaign and help make Christmas merry for local children. With a $75,000 goal, donations provide toys and gift cards for families in need across the Lake Pend Oreille School District. Sign up by Dec. 12 and donate today to spread holiday cheer!
'Tots' seeks to deliver Christmas joy
Join the Sandpoint Lions Toys for Tots campaign and help make Christmas merry for local children. With a $75,000 goal, donations provide toys and gift cards for families in need across the Lake Pend Oreille School District. Sign up by Dec. 12 and donate today to spread holiday cheer!