November 24, 2010

Watford City is ready to Celebrate a Country Christmas

By Tina Foreman
Farmer Staff Writer

‘Celebrating a Country Christmas’ is the Christmas theme chosen by the Watford City Area Chamber of Commerce for this year’s holiday season and it all kicks off this weekend.
Once again, zero percent Christmas Dollar loans up to $1,000 are available at First International Bank & Trust and Dakota West Credit Union through Dec. 1.
“This program combines the efforts of Chamber members and local financial institutions to promote shopping at home, as Christmas loan dollars which can only be spent at Watford City area Chamber merchants,” says Debbie Larsen, Watford City Area Chamber of Commerce president. “Also, ‘Watford City Bucks,’ a type of gift certificate that is only good at local businesses, can be purchased year-round at local financial institutions. ‘Watford City Bucks’ make great gifts, and help support local merchants!”
Chamber Christmas activities kick off with the annual Parade of Lights, to be held Friday, Nov. 26.  Anyone interested in having a float is asked to pre-register by calling Chamber secretary Mary Gumke at 580-1493. Floats will line up at McKenzie Electric at 6:00 p.m. and head down Main Street at 6:30 p.m.
“Everyone is invited to come uptown early or stay late after the parade to shop and spend time with friends and family,” adds Larsen. “If your business or group is interested in participating in the parade, we are still hoping for more floats to make this year’s parade great.”
The Parade of Lights is also a great time to get a good supper during the 4-H Spudfest.
It all begins Friday, Nov. 27 at 4:30 p.m. with the 4-H Spudfest fundraiser. Area 4-Hers will be at the old Carl’s Bakery preparing baked potatoes with all the trimmings. If you can’t get away to get your spud, deliveries are available to local businesses and takeout orders can be placed after 4:30 p.m. by calling 570-4472.
After you’ve had your fill of potatoes, you can head over to Outlaws’ Bar & Grill to check out all of the big bucks from this hunting season at the Big Buck Contest.
While you’re uptown for the parade, be sure to start registering at all Chamber businesses for the first $250 Watford City Bucks giveaway.
“Beginning Monday, Nov. 27, and for the three following Mondays, merchants will each pick a winner, with all those winners going into the weekly drawing for $250 in Watford City Bucks. A total of $1,000 will be given away,” comments Larsen. “In addition to the Chamber drawing, many merchants will be giving daily or weekly prizes as well.”
The fun continues through the weekend with the Dollars for Scholars Dodge for Dollars Dodgeball Tournament which gets underway at 10 a.m. with concessions and lots of dodgeball entertainment.
After dodgeball and lunch, you can head home and get ready for a fun night out at the Boots & Bling 2010 Gala at Outlaws’ Bar & Grill. The wine, food and fun get underway at 5:30 p.m.
The winning continues as Dec. 1 marks the beginning of the Merry Christmas Elf promotion that will have a different winner every day.  Each day through the 24th, a different community member is the Christmas Elf, and the first person to wish the elf-of-the-day a ‘Merry Christmas’ will win $20 in Watford City Bucks.
“You never know when you’ll run into the Christmas Elf, so be sure to wish everyone you meet Merry Christmas,” encourages Larsen.
All children are invited to help wake-up Santa at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 4 at Watford City High School. 
After waking Santa, children will be invited to participate in some arts-and-crafts activities and have their picture taken with Santa.  Helping with Wake-up Santa is the Watford City High School National Honor Society, and profits from the Santa picture sales go toward supporting their activities.
Also for the kids, and mom and dad who want to do some uninterrupted shopping, there are free movies. Movies will be shown at Six Shooters at 1:00 p.m. on Saturdays, Dec. 4, 11, and 18. Supervision is provided, so parents can drop the kids off with some money for concessions, and head out to do some Christmas shopping. The movies will be The Grinch on Dec. 4, Annabelle’s Wish on Dec. 11 and The Polar Express on Dec. 18.
Monday, Dec. 6, will be the second annual Tree of Memories, tree lighting sponsored by the Benefit Fund of McKenzie County Healthcare Systems.
“The Tree of Memories is a way to honor your loved ones, and remember those who are no longer with you this holiday season,” says Kristin Bolken, Benefit Fund of McKenzie County Healthcare Systems director.
For each $20 donation to the Benefit Fund of MCHS, a light will be added to the Tree of Memories, and a personalized ornament will be added to a special Christmas tree inside the Good Shepherd Home. As a thank you, the person donating will receive a Tree of Memories pin from the Benefit Fund. The Tree Lighting Ceremony and Chili Feed will be held on Monday, Dec. 6 at the Good Shepherd Home.
When the kids are ready to do their shopping, mom and dad can drop them off for Kids’ Shopping Night. Kids’ Shopping Night will be held at participating businesses on Monday, Dec. 13 from 3:30 until 6 p.m.  Kids are invited to come in with a list of gifts they need to buy, and how much money they have to spend. Store clerks will help them shop and wrap their gifts. Customers are encouraged to look for signs on merchant doors indicating which businesses are participating in Kids’ Shopping Night, and the extended hours each business will be open during the Christmas season. “Christmas is a busy time in Watford City,” states Larsen. “Besides these Chamber-sponsored activities there are lots more activities, sponsored by various businesses and organizations in town.  Watch for signs, and read the paper to make sure you get in on all the fun Celebrating a Country Christmas in Watford City.”

WATFORD CITY WEATHER