When I lived in the big city, the Christmas holidays were definitely different from what I was used to. The major department stores created wonderful displays, and friends and employers held parties most every Friday and Saturday (and several weeknights) from the beginning of December until the big day.
Since I moved back to my hometown, I have found the pace to be slower and more to my liking. The holiday events in Cody/Yellowstone Country are happening soon, and I am happy to report that I will be able to enjoy all of them at an easy pace that will allow for plenty of visiting, shopping and reflecting on the season.
Here’s my plan:
Powell Country Christmas will be held throughout the first weekend in December from Friday, Dec. 2 through Sunday, Dec. 4. Country Christmas is a holiday gift expo and craft showcase located in downtown Powell at the Commons at Pond Park. There will be gift booths, crafts, food booths and entertainment throughout the day as well as a lighted Christmas Parade downtown. The event concludes Sunday with the Tour of Homes Event. More information is available at www.powellchamber.org.
Cody Christmas Celebration will be Saturday, Dec. 3. We will enjoy ice carvings, roast marshmallows over burn barrels, watch the lighted Christmas parade and more. More information is available at www.codychamber.org.
That day I will find time to head over to the Buffalo Bill Center of the West Holiday Open House from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. for some holiday cheer and to present my gift list to Santa Claus. More information is available at http://centerofthewest.org/event/holiday-open-house/.
Kids of all ages enjoy The Center of the West Christmas Open House.
From 2 to 8 p.m. the Old Trail Town Christmas Open House will feature entertainment and treats in the wagon barn. Several local organizations decorate the interior of the cabins for the holidays and the exterior of the Trail Town buildings glow with tiny white lights. I enjoy seeing Trail Town at night and especially during their Open House. More information is available at http://oldtrailtown.org.
The rustic cabins at Trail Town are decorated for the Christmas Open House.
The following Saturday, December 10, features two more holiday events.
First I will head to the Heart Mountain Holiday Open House and will try my hand at origami folding, potato block printing, haiku writing and more. Complimentary Japanese tea and other refreshments will be served. More information is available at https://www.facebook.com/heartmountainwy/.
Internees at Heart Mountain participated in Holiday programs.
From there I will drive to Christmas in Meeteetse which will be held 9:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. I will enjoy a local artisan’s craft fair, food specials, visit from Santa, marshmallow roasting, community dinner, live nativity scene and lighting of the “Memory Tree.” Typically I take this opportunity to tell Santa about a couple of items I forgot about the week before. More information is available at http://meeteetsewy.com/index.php.
As you can see, our holiday events are organized to allow us to enjoy all of them, and they all offer something different.
Until next week, I am lovin’ life – and planning my parties – in Cody Wyo.
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