Main Street Mingle set for Saturday, Nov. 19

“It’s a Wonderful Life in Lovell” will be the theme of the 2022 Main Street Mingle holiday kickoff event to be held next Saturday, Nov. 19, in downtown Lovell, organized by the Lovell Area Chamber of Commerce.

The theme was chosen in honor of not only the famous Christmas movie starring James Stewart but also the community play being staged by the Masons of Lovell Nov. 30-Dec. 1.

The big day begins with the Dauntless Dash fun run at 8:30 a.m. sponsored by Club Dauntless. Registration begins at 8 a.m. at the Lovell Fire Hall, and both a one-mile and 5K race will be offered, starting in front of the fire hall. There is no entry fee.

Chamber of Commerce Director Linda Morrison said she is grateful that Club Dauntless is not only offering free registration but is also hosting a hot cocoa bar at the fire hall.

“It’s such a fun way to begin the Mingle,” she said. “It’ll be great if people can bring their families
for an enjoyable way to start the day.”

Morrison also pointed out that the annual Lovell Craft Bazaar will be held at the community center from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Nov. 19.

Next up for the Main Street Mingle will be the free movie “The Grinch” at 11:30 a.m. at the Hyart Theatre. Though not required, attendees are asked to bring a non-perishable food item for the firemen’s Christmas baskets.

“I’d like to thank the Hyart for sponsoring the movie,” Morrison said. “It’s their gift to
the community.”

As the movie ends at 1 p.m., Santa Claus will arrive at the theater on a fire truck, escorted by members of the Lovell Volunteer Fire Dept. The jolly old elf will walk to the Lovell Area Chamber of Commerce office, where he will greet children,
listen to Christmas requests and pose for photos from 1 to 5 p.m.

The North Big Horn Hospital Share-a-Stocking program will also be at the chamber office from 1 to 5 p.m. for visitors to peruse gift requests for local families, and free coats for all ages will be displayed at the office throughout
the day through the North Big Horn Hospital annual coat drive.

Santa books for kids will be offered at the Lovell Library from 1 to 5 p.m. Every child who visits will receive a book, Morrison said.

Main Street Mingle shopping specials will be offered at stores from 1 to 5 p.m., and shoppers can sign up to win chamber bucks redeemable at many stores in the community. Hot chocolate and cookies will be served at the Downtown Mural Park at Main and Nevada, starting at 4 p.m., sponsored by the Town of Lovell, with local students helping serve.

The annual tree lighting and chamber bucks giveaway will begin at 5 p.m. at the mural park. Morrison said $1,000 in chamber bucks will be drawn from registrations at local stores, and those in attendance will be able to sign up to win chamber bucks on the spot.

Joseph Shumway will be the master of ceremonies, and Lovell Elementary School students will sing carols, directed by Chauna Bischoff. Santa will light the park Christmas tree using his magic dust, assisted by kids in attendance.

Late night shopping at some stores will run until 7 p.m., and the Lovell Bible Church will present a live nativity at the church from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

The Lovell Volunteer Fire Dept. will host a rib dinner at the fire hall from 3 to 7 p.m. with proceeds going to support firemen attending the national Firefighter Stairclimb contest for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

The Lovell-Kane Area Museum is hosting a chili cookoff at the museum during the Mingle with details to be finalized and contestants still being gathered. Call Karen Spragg for details at 307-272-0959.

The chamber is asking all businesses to place lights in their windows, and the chamber is sponsoring a downtown lighting contest with a first prize of $75 and a second prize of $50.

Another $400 in chamber bucks will be drawn on Small Business Saturday, Nov. 26.

The Masons of Lovell will present “It’s a Wonderful Life” at the Hyart Theatre on Wednesday, Nov. 30, and Thursday, Dec. 1, at 7 p.m. directed by Keath Fenton and starring a host of local actors. Tickets are offered at www.ticketor.com/mol.