Plans set for annual Main Street Mingle

Plans are all but finalized for the annual Main Street Mingle, which will take place in downtown Lovell on Saturday, Nov. 22.

A Merry and Bright Christmas is the theme for the event, with business and homeowners encouraged to light up their premises during the holidays.

“The Main Street Mingle continues on with its tradition of welcoming in the Christmas Season,” Chamber of Commerce manager Linda Morrison said. “The businesses will be lit up, and Main Street will glow with Christmas cheer.  There will be the traditional favorites that we always want to have be part of this special day, so be sure to pay attention to what is coming up.

“The Mingle’s focus is to skip the ordinary and find quality and character in your choices of gift giving. Participating businesses will offer quality merchandise with gift giving in mind, sweet treats and warm beverages, and there will be much to participate in during the Christmas Business Stroll.  If folks will refer to the schedule for the day, they won’t want to miss out on anything.”

A day full of activities kicks off at 9:30 a.m. with the Dauntless Dash, sponsored by Club Dauntless. Participants can register at the Lovell Fire Hall starting at 9 a.m. The Dash features a 5K run and a one-mile run or walk.

There is no entry fee, and competitors can enjoy hot cocoa and cookies after the race.

The Christmas movie “Home Alone I” will play at the Hyart Theatre at 11 a.m. with doors open at 11 a.m. Admission price is one can of food for the Lovell Food Pantry, and there will be free popcorn sponsored by Georgia-Pacific. Concessions will be available.

Also starting at 11 a.m. is the Christmas Business Stroll featuring Christmas shopping and specials in Lovell businesses. Participating businesses are Wild Edge, Queen Bee, Valley Flower, Lovell Drug, Haskell Furniture, SweetArt Cake Company, KB Hardware, the Lovell-Kane Area Museum, Lovell Rec, Conoco Country Store, Pizza Factory, Mustang Café, Aud’s 4 Corners Bar and Grill and Rose City Lanes/Hot Stuff Pizza.

The Point youth house will serve walking tacos as a youth fundraiser at the Minchow’s Food Court building from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., and the North Big Horn Hospital Share-A-Stocking program will be on hand at the Chamber of Commerce building during the day featuring gently used coats.

Also taking place Saturday is the annual craft fair at the Lovell Community Center from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Santa Claus to town

As the movie lets out at 1 p.m., children are asked to gather in front of the theater and chamber office for the arrival of Santa Claus, who will ride down Main Street on a horse-drawn wagon, then visit with children from 1:15 to 4:30 p.m. at the chamber office. Free face painting will be offered at the chamber office while families wait for Santa.

Christmas singing will begin, and hot chocolate will be served at the downtown mural park at Main and Nevada starting at 4:30 p.m., and the drawings for $1,400 in chamber bucks will be held, featuring tickets drawn from Lovell stores (need not be present to win) and a “need to be present to win” drawing for folks who attend the festivities and sign up at the mural park.

Santa Claus and gathered children will also light the large Christmas tree in the park.

The Lovell Bible Church will host the annual live nativity from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.