Holiday Stroll events draw large crowds

Last Saturday's Holiday Stroll, a day packed with events around Havre, appears to have been a great success, with people from across the community participating in prize drawings, a polar plunge, the annual tree lighting and more.

The event, spearheaded by the Havre Chamber of Commerce, also featured a gingerbread house making contest, a fun run, a craft show, hay rides, caroling and a number of events featuring St. Nick and Mrs. Claus.

This year, however, the Chamber introduced a new element to the day, the titular Holiday Stroll, with local participating businesses offering prizes to those who took part as a way of encouraging people to shop local for the holidays.

People could buy $2 buttons at the Chamber, Big Sky Soul, Ben Franklin Crafts or Gary & Leo's Fresh Foods and search participating local businesses for the number on their button and those able to find the number, hidden throughout the businesses, won prizes based on the store the number was found in.

Among those who took part was Kim Cripps, who was able to find her number in The Key Boutique at the Holiday Village Mall where she spent most of her time that day, running Cookies and Books with Santa, which she said was a huge success.

She said the event sent over 100 children home with books and treats, and while Town Square held the majority of events that day the mall was packed as well.

"I've never seen such a nice crowd," she said.

As for the Square, Chamber Director Jessica Fagerbakke said Saturday evening that the events there were getting great reviews overall and everything appears to have gone off without a hitch.

"It's been a great day," Fagerbakke said.

She said they still had the Rudolf Run, caroling and the Community Tree Lighting to go, but everything else had gone very well.

Among those at the run was Jacob Lorang and his son Andrew, with the former saying it's been a good day, even in the cold weather.

"It's going great," he said.

James Monaghan said he was in town to visit a friend, so he hadn't had a chance to see all the events, but he loved how Town Square had been decked out, with lights, props and plenty of heaters going.

He said he'd like to see what it looks like next year, but warned upfront he would not be participating in the polar plunge.

"Not in a million years, brother," he said, laughing. "I'll donate later."