Chouteau County Country Christmas

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

Fort Benton

"WINTER CELEBRATION"

Saturday December 1st

 
8:00AM -
1:00 PM		 Santa’s North Pole Outlet Mall for Children - All children, Kindergarten through 6th
Grade are invited to purchase Christmas presents for their parents, brothers, sisters, grandparents, and friends.  At the Odd Fellows Hall, 1112 Front Street. 
Sponsored by Fort Benton Rebekah’s #105
8:30 AM -
6:30 PM		 Riverview Greenhouse Annual Christmas Open House.  Saturday and Sunday.  Featuring a beautiful collection of Christmas ornaments and decorations.  We have the perfect ornament for every possible need and decoration style.  Refreshments, Drawing, Free Calendar to first 100 visitors.
10:00 AM -
4:00 PM		 Bridgeport Station - Arts & Crafts Show Extravaganza at the Montana Agricultural Center (1205 20th Street) Lunch will be available.  Entertainment including 14th Street Barbershop Quartet.  Santa will make an appearance from 2:30-3:30PM.  Parents bring your cameras.
Throughout The
Day		 Navigate the Charm Trail.  Over 50 beautiful charms are available for purchase.  Pick up a map at participating businesses, buy the bracelet chain, and see how many charms you can collect during your day in Fort Benton.  Buy 8 charms and receive one free.  The free charm will be available at Wakecup Coffee or RJ's Toggery.
10:00 AM -
4:00 PM		 Aunt Chris Tabel's Collectibles, Lewis & Clark Room at the Grand Union Hotel.
10:00 AM -
4:00PM		 Grand Union Hotel Open House.  Stop in at this beautifully decorated historic hotel during your time in Fort Benton.  The Grand Union Hotel will feature entertainment by the 14th Street Barbershop Quartet.  The Union Goods Gift Shop will be open with new arrivals for the holidays.  Santa will make an appearance from 1:00-2:00PM.  Parents bring your cameras.
11:00 AM -
3:00 PM		 Historic Trolley Rides.  Weather permitting rides will be available from the Grand Union Hotel to Bridgeport Station at the Montana Agricultural Center.
11:30 AM -
3:30 PM		 14th Street Barbershop Quartet traveling entertainment.  Appearing at the Grand Union Hotel, Wake Cup Coffee House, Bridgeport Station, & Riverview Greenhouse.
Afternoon & Early Evening Open House at Fort Benton Businesses. Visit the local businesses during the afternoon and early evening. Many participating merchants are offering in-store specials, drawings and refreshments. Special Winter Celebration Discount Buttons are available. The $5.00 buttons offer the buyer automatic entry in the annual Holiday Gift Basket Drawing, and Discounts at participating Chamber of Commerce businesses. Button are available at Expedition Pizza, Wake Cup Coffee House  and Benton Pharmacy.
5:00 PM River Torch Tribute Luminaria. Sponsored by Chouteau County Cancer Support Group. Lighting will begin at the bridge and proceed toward Sunrise Bluffs. If you would like to donate by purchasing a bag please contact Deb at 622-3853
5:00 PM  Parade of Lights - Along Front Street -  (Lineup at City Hall at 4:30 PM)  
6:00PM -
8:00PM		 Santa Claus will be at the Wake Cup Coffee House.  Parents please bring your own camera. Live music will be featured.
6:00 PM Fort Benton Community Holiday Soup & Chili Dinner.  Golden Age Center (1410 Front Street). Sponsored by the Community Improvement Association, Chamber of Commerce, Fort Benton Women’s Club, Jaycees, and the Lions Club, as a way of thanking the community for their support. Each person attending is asked to bring one item of non-perishable food for the Chouteau County Food Bank. Parade of Light winners will be announced after dinner.
After the
Parade		 Community Bible Church Live Nativity Scene.  Please visit the church at 1600 Main Street to view the live nativity scene.

Geraldine


Country Christmas Bazaar

 Sunday - December 2nd

10:00 AM-
4:00 PM		 Country Christmas Bazaar - Arts & Crafts Show - At the “Old” Auditorium - Featuring a wide variety of Arts and Crafts. Food & Fun for all ages. Free Kids Craft Corner.  Caroling. A silent auction on “Small Theme Christmas Trees”.  Santa will make a visit and be available for photo's with the kids.  Parents please bring your camera's. Watch for direction signs.

 

Loma

Friday - November 30th

8:00 PM-
1:00 AM		 Loma Memorial Hall Country Christmas Dance. Featuring DJ Skip Walters.  Come join us for a fun filled evening with dancing, games, prizes, drinks and snacks.  Call 739-4305 for tickets or buy at the door


Saturday & Sunday - December  1st & 2nd

 
9:00 AM -
5:00 PM		 Christmas Bazaar and Bake Sale!  Village of Loma Country Christmas Bazaar at the Earth Science Museum. Featuring crafts and a community bake sale. Soup, roll, and dessert will be available, as well as pie and coffee. Proceeds from the Bazaar will help support the Loma Earth Science Museum.  The Earth Science Museum will be open for viewing.  
9:00 AM -
5:00 PM		 The Trash and Treasure Shop - Highway 87 & 4th Ave.- will offer antiques from the past and collectibles from the 30's to the 80's.

 

Virgelle

Virgelle Merc. & Antiques
Presents 
"A Real Country Christmas
at a Real Country Store"

Saturday & Sunday - December 1st & 2nd

 
9:00 AM -
5:00 PM
Daily

 

 Celebrate the season at Virgelle, Montana, a ghost town along the Wild & Scenic Missouri River. Each year, Virgelle Mercantile invites everyone to come and enjoy the spirit of the Christmas season in a homestead-era setting. Come see the old ghost town of Virgelle all dressed up for the season. Refreshments will be served beside the old cook stove in the kitchen. Featuring A variety of antiques and collectibles, at special prices, works by various artisans, baked goods, and a silent auction of items throughout the town.

Cindy Torok Kopenhafer will demonstrate the old craft of bobbin lacing at 1:00 PM on Saturday and Sunday.

The Montana Hitch'n Rail Ranch located 2 miles East of the Virgelle Merc. will offer horseback rides for all ages $30.00 per person. Saturday December 1st.  By appointment. Call Kathy Jones at 406-378-2571.  Campfire, hot coffee, hot chocolate and marshmallows furnished.

Driving Directions 
Virgelle Mercantile is located 8 miles off U.S. Highway 87 between Great Falls and Havre, Montana.  From Great Falls/Fort Benton, Montana: Take HWY 87 north, go through the town of Loma. Go 12 miles past Loma, and after passing mile post 66, take the next gravel road to your right. There are 2 signs at this turn off. Our sign says: MISSOURI RIVER CANOE CO. 8 miles. The Bureau of Land Management also has a sign for directions to Coal Banks Landing. Follow this gravel road to the river bottom, when you pass through a concrete underpass go right 1/8 mile to Virgelle. (1 and ½ hours travel time)   From Havre, Montana: Take HWY 2 west to junction of HWY 87 and go south, toward Great Falls. After passing through Big Sandy continue about 7 miles and look for the HWY sign to VIRGELLE. Turn left and travel 8 miles on a gravel road to Virgelle. (1 hour travel time) 

Take the short drive to Virgelle, Montana, and see for yourself what everyone has
been talking about.
For further information: Call 1-800-426-2926, visit our web site at http://www.virgellemontana.com/Events.htm

Big Sandy

Join us for a spectacular shopping experience!
Pick up your “Snowflake Run” card at any participating business. Watch for a wrapped Christmas present in front of those businesses. When completely filled up place in any basket for your chance at $100 Big Sandy Bucks

Saturday - December 1st

 
7:30 AM -
5:00 PM		 Bear Paw Coffee Shop & Deli will serve specialty hot and cold drinks, breakfast quiche, lunch with baked potato and artichoke soups, and crab or chicken salad sandwiches on croissant.  Indulge in or give a gift of decadent chocolates and peppermint treats.
8:00 AM -
6:00 PM		 Tumbleweed Gallery Christmas Open House.  Offering art from an array of local artists along with the perfect cup of coffee and something for that sweet tooth!
9:00 AM -
5:00PM		 40+ Crafters will be on hand with their art for your shopping pleasure.  Make sure you check out the silent auction items. Refreshments for the children while you shop. All this takes place at the Jerry Martin Memorial Hall. 
9:00 AM -
4:00 PM		 Leona's will have Homemade Noodles, Jams & Jellies, along with Edna Farley's wonderful Doilies.
9:00 AM -
5:00 PM		 Raven Crest Mercantile - Offering unique Christmas items along with all your favorites....Russ, Primal, Aromatherapy, Candles, and great Montana Products.  Refreshments Served.  Saturday and Sunday
11:00 AM -
2:00PM		 Senior Citizen’s Center  - will be offering a Spaghetti Lunch, with bread sticks, 
salad and dessert.  Baked goods and craft items will be available.


EACH STOP IS DESIGNATED BY A CHRISTMAS PACKAGE