Holiday events light up downtown

SANDPOINT — The anticipation of the fences coming down on First Avenue and the holidays approaching have downtown Sandpoint buzzing with excitement.

Beginning the day after Thanksgiving and continuing through December, there’s a packed schedule of events on tap — and you’re not going to want to miss any of them.

- Annual Tree Lighting, Friday, Nov. 29 — Creations for Sandpoint hosts the annual tree lighting at Jeff Jones Square at 5 p.m. Join this annual kickoff to the holiday season for caroling, dance performances by Studio 1, and warm beverages and goodies, plus a visit from Santa, and of course the countdown and tree lighting.

- Small Business Saturday: Saturday, Nov. 30 — Support locally owned downtown Sandpoint merchants on the nationally recognized small business Saturday. There will be lots of in-store giveaways and more. To learn more about what is planned, go online to downtownsandpoint.com.

- First Friday, Dec. 6 — Pend Oreille Arts Council, Pend d’Oreille Winery, and the Sandpoint Shopping District, host their monthly First Friday event with shopping deals, art exhibits, and an after-party at the winery from 6:30-8 p.m. Receive a raffle ticket with every purchase at a participating business to win a gift certificate or two tickets to an upcoming POAC event.

- Girls Night Out, Friday, Dec. 13 — Grab your girlfriends and head out for a night of fun, shopping, and music. Start out at Cedar St. Bistro on the Cedar Street Bridge for pre-event music and wine, shop around downtown, and finish out the night at Pend d’Oreille Winery for the after-party, music, and passports (get four punches on your passport and be entered to win prizes). The grand prize is a shopping spree valued at $400.

- Last-minute late-night shopping, Friday, Dec. 20 —Are you a last-minute shopper? We’re talking to you fellas, but this night is for anyone picking up those last-minute gifts. Stay tuned for a special late-night pint special at 219 Lounge, when you make a purchase at a participating retailer.

- Window decorating competition, Nov. 29-Dec. 20 — The Greater Sandpoint Chamber of Commerce hosts its second annual window decorating competition. The downtown businesses will be “Lighting Up Downtown” with their unique window displays. Pick up a map and voters’ ballot at the tree lighting or at each participating business. Check out the Downtown Sandpoint Facebook page for photos of each display and vote for your favorite. Category winners include: peoples choice, social media favorite, and grand prize. Winners will be announced Dec. 24.

Information: facebook.com/sandpointshoppingdistrict or downtownsandpoint.com