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It was still November, but Santa Claus made an early stop in Plains and he even stuck around to help the Plains Lions Club with its annual tree lighting.

Santa might have been the star of the show Saturday evening in downtown Plains, but he wasn't the only attraction. Several businesses joined in on the annual "Kickoff to Christmas" celebration throughout the day with special sales, treats, contests, and at Plains Drug Store, the Grinch.

Eli Rinker donned the Grinch outfit for the second time. He took on the green character in the parade last year. This year, he greeted kids and adults at the drugstore for four hours. He gave them a goody bag, when the kids would get close enough. "I scared my own daughter for about an hour," the Grinch said. His daughter, 1-year-old Kinzley, was dressed in "The Baby Who Stole Christmas" outfit and his wife, Kayla, was dressed in a Whosville costume.

Macy Malmend, a Plains High School sophomore, spent hours painting 71 kids' faces at 406 Outlet and Colleen's Country Store, painting either a string of Christmas lights or a candy cane. Some of them wanted both. Visitors were also treated to goody bags and the store had cookies on hand.

This was the fifth year the gala was called Kickoff to Christmas; it was previously called the Christmas Extravaganza. This year the Mangy Moose Mercantile had a coloring contest for two age groups, 1-8 and 9-16. Kids have until Dec. 16 to turn in their work and the winners will be announced on Dec. 18. The winners will receive a gift certificate. Countless people – adults and kids – got into the Christmas spirit by donning holiday attire. Shawn Bright of Plains wore a crochet Santa cap and beard and his twin sons, Kaysen and Kellen, wore crochet elf caps.

The town was treated to the second annual "Parade of Lights Christmas Parade" with the Plains Community Ambulance leading the 24 floats of the parade. The colorfully decked out vehicles included the Plains Paradise Rural Fire District, the South Side Sparks 4-H club, the future Warrior Fitness, the Plains Alliance Church, the Plains Bible Chapel, Rehbein Ford, and several families that decorated their private vehicles. One was garnished with Christmas lights and dinosaurs and another with the Grinch and his big bag of stolen booty from Whosville. The Plains School bus had a giant Santa Claus face on the front. Justin Holmes, owner of Plains Drug, had his 1916 Packard milk truck dressed for the holiday. Plains Schools Superintendent Dr. Kathleen Walsh was in her Christmas lighted decorated Jeep. The last vehicle, a 1939 Plains-Paradise Rural Fire District engine driven by Chief James Russell, carried St. Nick himself - aka Steve Spurr - through town, getting the biggest applause.

The parade lasted just over 20 minutes, but Santa's role didn't stop with the parade. He joined the Plains Lions Club on the greenway after the parade for a tree lighting ceremony and roasted marshmallows over two fire pits. Lions present for the event included Spurr, Marion Jolin, and Marv and Margo Tanner. Santa had his photo taken with dozens of kids and adults on the greenway. Several children told him what they wanted for Christmas, including 11-year-old Levi Sturdivant, who also asked Santa how cold it got at the North Pole.

Ed Moreth

TOUCH OF CHRISTMAS – Macy Malmend puts a candy cane on the cheek of 3-year-old Kellen Bright at 406 Outlet and Colleen's Country Store. Kellen's twin brother, Kaysen, got a string of Christmas lights on his face. His dad, Shawn, had a crochet Santa cap and beard.

People could make a plastic straw star ornament for the newly installed 14-foot Christmas tree. Spurr, his wife Whitney Tanner-Spurr, daughter Kendall Spurr, and Marv Tanner decorated the tree that morning. Ron Warren of Plains donated firewood for fire pits. Spurr said the club plans to plant a tree next spring. Last year's tree blew down and was put back up by the Plains Paradise Rural Fire District. The club went through five bags of marshmallows Saturday. The club had already decorated downtown Plains with nearly 30 large pole ornaments from Highway 28 to Central Avenue.

Spurr felt the parade was a "huge success" this year. "I think the cold made the event go fast; we were home by 7:30 and last year I remember being out there later, but it was warmer last year," said Spurr, the club president.

On Saturday, Dec. 2, Santa Claus will visit with children from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the VFW on Lynch Street. Downtown businesses will be having their annual "Plains Winter Stroll" on Saturday, Dec. 16. Santa will be positioned at Mountain West Clothing during the morning and afternoon.