Chinook focusing on local shopping in Black Friday Parade of Lights

The Chinook Chamber of Commerce has found another purpose for its annual Parade of Lights festivities this Friday.

Chinook Chamber Commerce President Sarah Pratt said she hopes Friday’s events will help motivate people to shop locally.

“I think a lot of people tend to leave town for Black Friday, but they always come back for the parade and the live auction of the trees and the baskets,” Pratt said. “But this year we are doing a progressive punch card and we’re trying to get people to stay in town and go to all the local shops since they’re open on Friday.”

The day kicks off at 8 a.m. with the continuation of the Festival of Trees silent auction for some items at the First Bank of Montana, which runs to 3 p.m. Bidding in the silent auction started Monday.

Pratt said she believes the idea for the Festival of Trees came from the town wanting to do more to raise funds.

Pratt added that proceeds from the Festival of Trees go directly back to Chinook. Every year the chamber chooses a different organization or project to donate the funds to. This year, Pratt said, the money will be spent on maintaining the Main Street Snowflake lights.

From 1 to 6 p.m. the Christmas Stroll will take place along Main Street. Vendors will be out selling crafts and other items.

Pratt said the vendors will be in a new location this year at 209 Main Street.

“It’s across from Napa Auto Parts,” she added.

If there is any overflow of vendors, Pratt said they will set up outside along Main Street.

During this time, shoppers can try and fill up their Progressive Business Punch Card. The punch card is the new addition aimed encouraging local shopping.

“They come and get a punch card at the Chamber office and then there’s a list of all of the businesses that are on it, and then they just go into that business and they find an employee — of course they’ll look around a little more — then they just sign off or punch it or something like that to show that you’ve been to that location,” Pratt added.

Pratt said that once the punch card is filled up, people can turn it in to the Chamber of Commerce and they will be entered to win a mystery prize.

Also from 1 to 6 p.m., the Wildlife Museum and Blaine County Museum will be open. Regular admission for the Wildlife Museum applies and admission is free for the Blaine County Museum.

The first of two showings of the film “The Grinch” will start at 1 p.m. at the Blaine County Library. The second showing is at 4 p.m.

From 2 to 4 p.m. the Bell Choir will perform in the Blaine County Library Meeting room.

Pictures with Santa can be taken from 3 to 5 p.m. at the Chamber of Commerce. People are also asked to bring a non-perishable food item.

People can pick up their silent auction items at First Bank at 4 p.m.

From 5 to 7 p.m. is the Chinook Eagles Dinner.

People who will be participating in the Parade of Lights can start lining at 5:30 p.m. in front Meadowlark Elementary School.

At 6 p.m. the Parade of Lights begins, running down then back up Main Street.

Pratt said this the 33rd year for the parade. People can sign up to be a part of it. They can design, decorate and walk beside their float during the parade.

Pratt added that there is no set requirement for the floats themselves. They can be as big as a trailer or just as simple as a lawnmower, she said.

At 7:15 p.m the live auction for the Festival of Trees will start at the Chinook Eagles Club.

Pratt said she likes the community involvement that goes on during this day.

“I think it’s just kind of neat to see everybody starting to get in the spirit for the season and pull together for it,” she said.