Holiday activities abound Saturday at Havre's Town Square

Many organizations are putting on major holiday fundraisers and events this weekend and the Havre Chamber of Commerce has multiple events taking place Saturday in Havre’s Town Square following the Special Olympics Subzero SuperHero Polar Plunge.

The Special Olympics fundraiser has registration from 2 to 3:15 p.m. Saturday at Town Square with people starting to jump into the icy water at 3:30 p.m.

That is followed by the Chamber’s Cookies and Milk with Santa at 4:30 p.m. at the Eagles Club. The event is for children 7 and younger. The children must be accompanied by an adult.

Chamber Executive Director Jody Olson said the event is put on by their Ambassadors Committee. Santa will read a story to the kids and each child will also receive a book.

The books were provided by the Ambassadors and State Farm Agent Anthony Cammon is donating the milk, she added.

The event was previously known as Lunch with Santa, but the name was changed — along with the date — to align with the tree lighting ceremony, Olson said.

Despite the popularity of the event, Olson said, she is not worried about not having enough books for all the children.

The Santa Run also starts at 4:30 p.m., along Third Avenue. People are encouraged to dress up as either Santa Claus or Mrs. Claus or an elf as they run or walk the mile-long course.

Olson said she isn’t worried about the weather conditions for the course, especially with the option for people to walk the course as well.

“I think we’ve always had it,” she said. “Sometimes there’s a lower turnout than others, but last year there was a lot of people. I mean it’s a run/walk … hopefully they’re careful and they don’t break something while they’re running.”

BNSF Railway Co. is sponsoring the event, which is also free to its employees and their families as part of its health and wellness program.

Registration for the event can be done online at the Chamber’s website and Facebook page, as well as by form at the Chamber’s office or the day of the event. The cost is $10 for individuals or $25 for a family.

The Chamber of Commerce is giving prizes for best-dressed Santa or Mrs. Claus, adult holiday costume and youth costume. The prizes for fastest male, female and youth are provided by North Star Athletics.

At 5 p.m., the tree-lighting ceremony begins. Olson said the Salvation Army will provide hot chocolate.

Baked goods will be provided by another organization as part of a fundraiser, she added.

The Havre High School choir will sing holiday-themed songs at the ceremony as well.

Olson said the Havre High School group Close Up will be selling luminaries to raise money to go to Washington D.C.

NorthWestern Energy provided the lights that go on the tree, Olson said, adding, “They are always a good sponsor of everything we do.”

During the ceremony, the Chamber will also be giving away its Super Certificate prizes and Olson added people must be present to win the prizes.

“That’s four big gift baskets,” she said. “It’s got all different gift certificates in it from all around town and Chamber ones too. So there’s four of those.”

Olson added that the Ambassadors will provide four kids with gift baskets and tickets will be passed out at the tree lighting ceremony for that drawing.

Saturday is also Shop Small Saturday, which is a national shopping promotion that encourages consumers to shop at small, local business. Olson said she believes most stores in town will have specials going on.

Plans are the in works to make the tree lighting ceremony bigger next year, Olson said. She is hoping to have a lot more of the town square lit up such as light poles and trees in the area.

What Olson likes the most about the day’s activities is that it’s a chance for the community to come together, she said.

“It’s really interesting to see how many people come out, and I never cease to be amazed at what the town gives,” she added. “When you look in the paper at the list of who all gave for these super certificates and for the kids’ baskets, the businesses just give and give and give all the time. It’s just amazing.”