Community Christmas Celebrations Beginning

       Communities around the region are starting to have their formal kickoffs to the Christmas season and among the first is Hay Springs, where things begin Friday night.

     The Joy Bells will perform at 6:00 at the Hay Springs Senior Center, then the action shifts over to the Gazebo for Christmas Carols at 6:15 and a Christmas Greeting and Prayer by Father Paul.

    The Prayer will be followed immediately by the Community Christmas Tree Lighting, then at 6:45 by the Christmas Parade – which begins at the Pioneer Manor Nursing Home and includes prizes. 

      Many Hay Springs businesses have Black Friday sales and the Senior Center is hosting a free-will donation fundraising Soup Supper featuring Chili and Chicken Noodle Soup. It runs from 4:30-6:30.

     Crawford has its kickoff Saturday with “Shop Small” all day leading into Christmas in Crawford with the Parade of Lights at 6:00 followed by the lighting of the community Christmas tree downtown, a visit from Santa and Mrs Claus.

     There will also be hot chocolate and cookies plus the raffle drawing for 50 pounds of beef roasts and hamburger provided by Tollman Family Ranches and TNT Livestock.

     It’s a fundraiser with the proceeds going to next year’s Mr Fireworks Fund and the purchase of an electronic sign displaying community information.

     There will be two winners and tickets are $5 each or 6 for $20. They’re available at Perk Up, Q’s Dairy Sweet, Kreider Insurance, the White River Gallery, or the Chadron Chamber of Commerce office. 

      They’re also available by messaging through the Crawford Chamber of Commerce Facebook page.

      And Santa makes his first visit to Chadron Saturday from 9-1:00 in his renovated workshop at the New Leaf Marketplace. Kids are invited to bring their lists for Santa with parents encouraged to take pictures of their youngsters or families with Santa.