Main Street Mingle packed full of activities

It’s time to mingle in downtown Lovell to kick off the Christmas season. The annual Main Street Mingle will be held this Saturday, Nov. 23, organized by the Lovell Area Chamber of Commerce, with the theme A Merry and Bright Christmas.

It all begins with the annual Dauntless Dash fun run sponsored by Club Dauntless and featuring a one-mile run or walk or 5K run. Registration begins at 9 a.m. at the Lovell Fire Hall, and the race begins at 9:30.

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

The Christmas Stroll begins at 11 a.m. with Christmas shopping and specials in Lovell businesses.

Also beginning at 11 is the Mingle Food and Fun event at the former Minchow’s Food Court building. The Point youth house will be selling walking tacos as a fundraiser, and the North Big Horn Hospital Share-A-Stocking program will be on hand.

Meanwhile, the Lovell High School Choir will be holding a Krispy Kreme donut sale from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the front lawn in front of the chamber of commerce office.

The Christmas movie “Muppet Christmas Carol” will play at the Hyart Theatre at 11:30 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.

A farewell open house for soldiers soon to be deployed overseas will take place from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the MJ Court, 1150 Shoshone Avenue. People are welcome to stop by to offer best wishes and support to the six soldiers from the area being deployed: SSG Brett Tillery (Cody), SSG William Anderson (Lovell), SPC Nicole Hall (Lovell), 1SG Derek Leonhardt (Lovell), WO1 Stuart Harmon (Powell) and SPC Dylan Langston (Lovell). The event is sponsored by Bairco Construction – Devin and Stacy Bair.

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 1:30 to 4 p.m. at the chamber office.

Rumor has it that the Grinch will attempt to thwart Santa’s arrival between 1 and 1:15, and kids coming out of the movie will be asked to cheer for intrepid Lovell firemen as they try to corral the nefarious Grinch.

Other activities beginning at 1:30 include the Lovell-Kane Area Museum chili cookoff, Lovell Library activities, free Hannah Banana balloons at Minchow’s Food Court and a Lovell Rec/BOCES open house at 600 Shoshone Avenue.

Museum board president Karen Spragg said the museum has lined up five chilis for the cookoff and eight soups for sale, with proceeds going toward some new special displays at the museum.

The 9^th Street Brass Ensemble will perform at various locations throughout the day.

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

Christmas singing will begin and hot chocolate will be served at the downtown mural park at Main and Nevada starting at 4 p.m., and the first drawing of chamber bucks will be held for tickets drawn from Lovell stores. (Need not be present to win.)

People arriving at the park can sign up for the “need to be present to win” drawing to be held at 5 p.m. when Santa Claus and gathered children will light the large Christmas tree in the park.

Late night shopping will be offered at some stores from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., and the Lovell Bible Church will host the annual live nativity from 5:30 to 7:30, as well.

“On November 23, Main Street in Lovell is the place to be for area residents as they welcome in the Christmas season,” chamber manager Linda Morrison said. “There will be more lights and decorations on Main Street and in stores and businesses. Business owners are working to make sure folks have plenty of options to consider as they shop for just the right items.

“The entire day will be festive with a variety of activities, music and food samplings. A highlight will be the Open House Deployment Farewell and the opportunity we have as communities to make sure those soldiers who are going to be gone from their families know that their communities are in full of support of them.

“So, plan to be in Lovell and bring your families as you enjoy smalltown life at the Main Street Mingle. The entire day will warm your heart.”