Press Release
“Hometown Holiday Weekend” in International Falls, set for today and tomorrow (Nov. 29-30), will include the annual “Parade of Lights,” a pet contest, and Friday afternoon fun, as well as the traditional old-fashioned wagon rides downtown.
The festivities are added to a weekend of retail specials that promote holiday shopping at home.
The community is invited to a get-together today on the main street before the parade, said Faye Whitbeck, president of the International Falls Area Chamber of Commerce.
Amidst shopping and $25 gift certificate registrations all over the area, hot chocolate, treats, and a pet contest will begin around 3:30 p.m. around the popular mini bonfires inside a barricaded area to enclose Centennial Park (next to Border Boxes) and a section of Third Avenue next to the park.
“The fires add quaintness and warmth to the festivities,” Whitbeck noted.
The lineup for the “Cutest Holiday Pet Contest” will begin at 4 p.m. in that area.
Showing off pets is a chance for kids and adults to enjoy them dressed in fun costumes, and judges will award two pets with $25 in Chamber Dollars.
Meanwhile, the Mann family will offer old-fashioned wagon rides from 3:30-6:30 p.m.
All this precedes the annual “’Twas the Lights Before Christmas” parade at 7 p.m., which is another chance to showcase dressed-up pets.
Caroling along the street is scheduled before the parade begins.
The parade route introduced two years ago integrates three blocks of Fourth Street with a section of Third Street (main street), which Whitbeck said has been well-received by the community.
She noted the rectangle course again will start on Fourth Street near Falls Lumber.
The promenade then will head west on Fourth, turn north up Sixth Avenue to main street, where it will travel east and disperse left and right on Second Avenue near the Chamber office.
Floats and all entries for the parade are needed. Any theme may be used in the entries, which will be judged primarily by the usage of lights, music, and craftsmanship.
Prizes for float entries are $300, $200, and $100, respectively.
“But what’s important is to have fun and include children in the magic,” stressed Whitbeck.
The Chamber is strongly encouraging musical groups from both sides of the river to sing or play in the parade.
Business and family floats, musical performances, vehicles, animals, and walkers will be welcomed to participate right up until the parade lines up at 6 p.m. along Second Avenue south of Falls Lumber.
Candy is best distributed by people on foot.
Parade registration forms must be completed, which can be done by calling the Chamber at 1-218-283-9400 or e-mailing chamber@intlfalls.org
The Elks Lodge, meanwhile, will offer a Sloppy Joe supper, open to the public, beginning at 5:30 p.m. on the Friday, and “Visits With Santa” from 5-6:30 p.m.
Live music by Patty O-Porter begins at 7:30 p.m. at the Lodge.
Then tomorrow marks Small Business Saturday in the U.S.
“Keeping shoppers in our town on this particular weekend is economically critical,” Whitbeck said.
“To promote this, all participating retailers on Friday and Saturday will each offer registrations to win $25 gift certificates from their store, and the Chamber will provide a grand prize of $300 in Chamber Dollars.”
As shopping continues, kids are invited to see free movies at Cine 5, sponsored by the Rotary Club, beginning at 10 a.m. sharp (doors open at 9:30 a.m.)
Added to local store specials and drawings Saturday is the Backus Holiday Shopping and Craft Festival from 10 a.m.-3 p.m., with lunch served from 11 a.m.-2 p.m.
