C. Falls rings in the season - and a new tree - on Dec. 5

By NANCY KIMBALL/Daily Inter Lake

As Columbia Falls marks nearly a quarter-century of Night of Lights with its annual wintertime parade, community boosters will light the city's first official Christmas tree this year.

On Dec. 5, five minutes before the 6:30 p.m. parade starts and while all other lights along Nucleus Avenue are dark momentarily, the 15-foot-tall grand fir at Glacier Discovery Square downtown will be lighted.

Then as the business-district lights come back up, the parade begins.

The fir, transplanted from Ron Buentemeier's private tree farm, was dedicated to him during the town's celebration of the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree's visit on Nov. 5. Buentemeier is the retired general manager of F.H. Stoltze Land and Lumber Co. west of town and long has been active in Columbia Falls business and community arenas.

The tree was planted a month ago next to the parking lot on the north side of the former First Citizens Bank, which the First Best Place Task Force bought and named Glacier Discovery Square this year. A plaque honoring Buentemeier will remind future generations of its heritage as they decorate and light the Christmas tree.

With roots in the Coming Alive group that started Night of Lights in 1985, this year's festivities mark the city's 24th annual Christmas celebration. Over the years, it has grown into a communitywide celebration.

Santa will arrive at the end of the parade and head for the Columbia Falls Community Center to visit with children afterward.

Our Redeemer Lutheran Church will present a live Nativity scene at the south end of Smith's parking lot on Nucleus Avenue.

The larger-than-life Christmas and cartoon characters in the Children's Holiday Village will be lighted in Marantette Park right after the parade. It will be lighted nightly throughout the Christmas season until New Year's Day.

For the first time this year, artists, bakers and crafters will sell their wares in a craft sale at Discovery Square Friday and Saturday. North Valley Senior Citizens will hold their annual craft sale and supper a block south of the post office. Several uptown businesses will stay open late, many will give away hot chocolate and other warm drinks and treats, and food vendors will set up on the lawns and parking lots.

Below are the details:

. Parade: Lineup starts at 5 p.m. near the post office at the north end of Nucleus Avenue and judging starts at 5:30 p.m. Official Christmas tree lighting is at 6:25 p.m. (if you want to help decorate in advance, check with Barb Jenkins at The Barber's Shop), and the parade begins at 6:30 p.m.

Karl Skindingsrude of Special K Productions will host the parade in front of Discovery Square, with music and his special blend of fun and information.

Pick up parade entry forms at NAPA Auto Parts, Glacier Bank, The Moving Image Health and Fitness Center and Dr. Roger Newman's dental office. Categories include business, juvenile, animals and open.

No Santas on the floats, please, as children are looking forward to arrival of the real Santa and Mrs. Claus at parade's end. They and the elves will give out treats in the North Valley Hospital Community Center next to The Moving Image after the parade.

. Craft fairs: Get chili or chili dogs, chicken noodle soup and a chance to buy handmade crafts in the North Valley Senior Citizens Center from 4 to 8 p.m.

In Glacier Discovery Square, the craft fair will be open for business from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. Cindy Shaw is soliciting vendors - crafts, bakery items and art - but needs to hear from you by Dec. 3. Booths are $10 each. Call her at 892-7955.

The craft fair and food sales traditionally held in the Masonic Temple have been called off this year.

. Businesses: Some have scheduled special events that night. At Bad Rock Books, authors will be signing their books from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. They are Bonnie Smith, author of "Blue Mesa" and "The Soul of Frannie Cooper"; John Fraley, "Wild River Pioneers" and "A Woman's Way West"; and Sharon Randolf, "Connecting Us to the Sun." Bad Rock Books is at 615 Nucleus Ave.

Also committed to staying open that night are Funtastic Finds, The Shops at Station 8, Glacier Wallflower, and Montana Coffee Traders, with its First Friday music and dinner.

. Brunch with Santa: Rotary Club is launching the new event to raise money for the Boys and Girls Club of Columbia Falls' effort to start a junior high program, and for Rotary projects in Columbia Falls. The brunch is from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, the morning after the parade, in the Columbia Falls Junior High cafetorium.

There will be breakfast and lunch food from local restaurants and caterers, music, Santa, free photos with Santa and three silent auctions ending at 10 a.m., 11 a.m. and noon. Adults pay $10 to eat, but children 12 and younger are free if they are with an adult. Buy tickets at Freedom Bank, Glacier Bank and Park Side Credit Union.

For more information, call Mary Hilton at 892-5000, Jenny Krueger at 892-2480, Peggy Newman at 892-3113 or Connie McCubbins at The Moving Image, 892-7546.