Billings Gazette
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red lodge RED LODGE
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Thursday, November 28, 2013
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CASEY PAGE/Gazette Staff
Red Lodge Blade Parade & Christmas Stroll
INSIDE Blade Parade and Christmas
By Brenda Maas bmaas@billingsgazette.com
Stroll: Get the family ready for two festive evenings filled with shopping, good eats, Santa Claus and much more.
It simply must be seen to be believed. The Blade Parade in Red Lodge has grown into a much-anticipated annual event that celebrates community, the holiday season and those who dedicated hours and hours to move mounds of snow—the white stuff that most relish in this quaint, historic mountain town. “To our knowledge, the Blade Parade is the only one of its kind in the world,” said Patty Davis of the Red Lodge Chamber of Commerce. “Anything that can move snow can be a part of our Blade Parade—dogs who like to push snow with their snouts, little red wagons with foil snowplows attached, tractors, anything that can attempt to shovel snow may enter.” Glory Mahan, parade chair, noted that the Lion’s Club donates four $25-dollar prizes every year. Categories may span from oldest vehicle, to best lit, to zaniest, for example. “The people who push snow get out there early in the morning and work late into the night, so this is really dedicated to them,” Mahan noted. Plus, it’s just plain fun, she said. Typically, the parade draws 40-60 entries but it depends on weather. Mahan noted that, ironically, snow and cold bring more entries and more parade-watchers. The Blade Parade starts at 6 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 6. It ends with Santa’s arrival in a horse-drawn wagon. He finds a cozy spot at the Elk’s Club and takes time to listen to children there until 9 p.m.
Page 1 Carbon County Arts Guild: Expand your creative horizons and attend an artful event at the Guild this holiday season. Page 4 Upcoming events: Red Lodge is host to exciting events yearround; read up on the upcoming events. Page 4 Explore Red Lodge is a special advertising section of The Billings Gazette
painting,” said Kathy Robson, Stroll committee member and owner of Red Lodge Books & Tea. The entire downtown area, including the vintage light poles, is decorated and festive with holiday finery. Five blocks of Broadway—the main street in Red Lodge—are closed off to vehicle traffic from 8th to 15th so that visitors can safely traverse the streets. In addition, local non-profit organizations may set up temporary booths to share information, sell items for fundraisers, offer services like gift wrapping or to say thank you. For example, a local church group distributed s’mores last year as Take a walk a way to show appreciation for the commuImmediately after the parade, visitors are nity’s support throughout the year. invited to stroll about the town. ApproxiEach intersection has fire pits for physical mately 50 businesses—retail, restaurants and warmth and community lingering. bars all decorate their storefronts, stay open late and offer specials on Friday and Saturday More than strolling nights. “The Christmas Stroll is a draw to ev“It’s a scene out of a Norman Rockwell eryone around the region and nation,” said
Sales and Marketing Director Dave Worstell Retail Sales Manager Shelli Rae Scott Classified & Digital Sales Manager Ryan Brosseau Director of Marketing Allyn Hulteng Special Sections Coordinator Linsay Duty Content Editor Brittany Cremer Brenda Maas Section Designer Nadine Bittner Access Explore Red Lodge at www. billingsgazette.com/specialsections
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Davis. “We have folks who return to Red Lodge all the way from North Carolina for this annual event. Businesses report that this is their second busiest weekend of the year.” “I came from a large city but I fell in love with this event,” said Robson. “Everyone gets busy with their lives, even in a town of 2,500 people. This really brings people together.” Rumor has it that area merchants may even be in cahoots with parents of young children, setting aside special gifts that bring smiles to little faces. Even after the retail businesses close and street musicians put away their instruments to warm their fingers, the bars and restaurants stay open with most hosting more live music. It is yet another celebration, Red Lodge-style. This town is so unique—the Blade Parade and Christmas Stroll really do set us apart, Robson added. continued on page 4
Winter Hours Open Daily 10AM-2PM Location: Just north of downtown Red Lodge at 615 2nd Street East 406-446-1133 | www.yellowstonewildlifesanctuary.com
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The Red Lodge Fun Run for Charities is organized by: The Red Lodge Area Community Foundation – PO Box 1871, Red Lodge, MT 59068
www.redlodgeareacommunityfoundation.org