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The Sanders County community's Christmas spirit is bursting at the seams. Holiday bazaars, pictures with Santa, tree lightings and the annual Christmas on Main Street in Thompson Falls had even the grinches singing carols over the weekend.

In Thompson Falls, the annual Sanders County Christmas Bazaar welcomed 46 vendors offering arts and crafts, baked goods and other items. Organizer Janie McFadgen, in her second year as leader of the bazaar, said the feedback from vendors and participants was positive. McFadgen said that they had 21 new vendors this year, and that they came from Trout Creek to Paradise and the Libby area to sell their wares.

A portion of the sales from each vendor at the bazaar goes to the Sanders County Sheriff's Relief Fund. McFadgen said that vendors are asked to give 10 percent of their sales, but some opt to give more.

The holiday festivities in Thompson Falls continued Saturday with the Christmas on Main Street events, including refreshments from the Mens Prayer Breakfast, a parade, and the annual holiday musical event at the Rex Theatre.

As usual, the Mens Prayer Breakfast group kicked off the evening, serving chili, hot dogs and cocoa to parade spectators. Kim Roberts with the Mens Prayer Breakfast said the group served more than 300 people, and had 10 helpers. While the group was setting up earlier Saturday, they said everyone has a role. Each year, someone cooks the hot dogs, someone serves up the chili and someone stirs the cocoa, among other jobs. When asked how one gets promoted, the men laughed and said "someone has to die first."

Roberts said that for the third year, they had an excess of donations for the group's parade effort. So, they randomly picked five parade entrants and gave each $100. The entrants picked included the Clark Fork Valley Elks, New Life Fellowship, the Sanders County Bookmobile, Feed 'N Fuel and St. William's Catholic Church. "It just makes the parade a better thing for people," Roberts said of the additional donations to parade entrants.

The parade started promptly at 6:30 p.m., with lights, sirens, cowboys and Santas sharing candy and holiday cheer with the community. Organizer Joanne Burk said the parade had 40 lively entries this year. Back after a brief hiatus was the bathing Santa, Steve Buck, from Thompson River Redi-Mix. Santa rode in a bathtub in the parade that was constantly being filled with water from a mixer truck. The Thompson River Redi-Mix Santa won best overall in the parade. Judges gave the honor of the brightest entry to the Thompson Falls City Fire Department. The Sanders County Ledger group won for best costumes. Ledger staff and friends rode pool noodle reindeer for the Reindeer Rodeo, accompanied by Santa, Grinch and elf cowboys on horseback.

The Trout Creek Community Improvement Association (TCCIA) held their annual tree lighting ceremony last Friday evening. About 50 people attended the event, and Liz Stender with TCCIA said that Northern Lights lent hands to hang the lights and Trout Creek Motel provides the power to keep the tree lit through the holiday season. The next event for the TCCIA will be family bingo night at the Lakeside from 2 to 6 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 15. Prizes include 10 turkey baskets which have all the fixings for a turkey dinner. Kids can also get their picture with Santa for $5. Bingo is 25 cents per card.

Callie Jacobson

BEST OF THE BUNCH - Bathing Santa Steve Buck and Thompson River Redi-Mix earned best overall in the parade.

Following the parade, the Rex Theatre was filled with patrons for the annual holiday music event, organized by Jan Manning. The crowd was entertained by acts including dancing dogs, local school choirs, and the Neva Wood Memorial Bell Choir. At the Rex event, Danielle Wood with the Thompson Falls Chamber announced the winners of the annual Christmas on Main Street Scavenger Hunt. Jan Henry was the grand prize winner, earning herself $400 in Chamber Bucks, to be spent at member businesses. Other winners included Beth Woods ($200), Mickie Kemper ($50), Veronica Bewick ($50), Caleb Hutchings ($25), Lucy Foyil ($25), Kelly Beaty ($25) and Katherine Maudrone ($25). Wood said that almost 100 entries were received in the scavenger hunt.

Winners of the Christmas on Main Street coloring contest also were announced at the Rex. Chosen were Addi Deal (age 5 and under), Kaleb Susic (age 6-8), Sandy Bonney (age 9-10) and Isabella Buchanan (11-12).