Traditional Kalispell Christmas parade moved to Dec. 10

In an effort to allow local families and friends the chance to celebrate the Thanksgiving holiday together, the annual Christmas parade in downtown Kalispell is scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 10, at 5 p.m. on Main Street.

The decorating theme of the parade this year is “Festival of Lights.”

Traditionally the parade has been the day following Thanksgiving, but Black Friday shopping and being out of town with family has been cause for attendance numbers, both in spectators and participants, to drop.

“We tend to see entry numbers close to 80 for each of our parades, but for the last several years we’ve been lucky to get around 30 entries for Christmas,” said Kate Lufkin, marketing and communications specialist for the Kalispell Chamber. “Dwindling numbers has really lead to less audience engagement, so our hope is that by changing the date off an already busy holiday weekend we’ll be able to attract more excitement and build up to a bigger celebration downtown.”

The support team surrounding parades has grown immensely to include many city and local organization employees, along with dozens of volunteers, all of whom dedicate long hours to ensure an exciting, but most importantly safe event for the community.

“We believe it’s important for these people to spend the holiday weekend with their families too,” Lufkin said.

Businesses, individuals, clubs and all organizations interested in entering the parade should contact the Kalispell Chamber at 758-2803 or visit www.kalispellchamber.com/programs-events/parades. Entries wishing to be judged on light displays will have the chance to win one of the top three placings and be rewarded with $100, $75 or $50 respectively. Entry fees are $20.

The annual Christmas tree lighting and caroling (that used to follow the Christmas parade) is scheduled for the night of the Art Walk, Friday, Dec. 2.

The festivities will begin in Depot Park at 6 p.m. and spectators are encouraged to stop in the Kalispell Chamber of Commerce for hot chocolate, a kids’ photo booth with Santa, and displays from young local artists.