Worland can expect a busy upcoming weekend, as the community prepares numerous events to bring in the holiday spirit.

FESTIVAL OF TREES

To kick off the weekend, Pinnacle Bank will host the 37th annual Festival of Trees, starting at 6 p.m. on Friday. Dec. 1 in the Worland Community Center. Festival of Trees co-director Jaime Craft said, “The event is our way of fundraising to give back to our community.” Craft has worked at Pinnacle Bank for nine years and has co-directed the event for three years with Deidria Ortega. She said that every year, the bank sends out letters of interest to businesses and members of the community for their involvement in the event. Participants decorate a Christmas tree, wreath or other items for them to be auctioned off at the Festival of Trees.

Prior to the event, nonprofit organizations in the community express their need for additional funding to the bank, whether it be for projects or to continue operating, according to Craft. Funds raised from the Festival of Trees then go toward these organizations. Frequently helped groups are Special Olympics, O.W.L. Unlimited, Search and Rescue and others. Craft said they typically help 20 to 30 organizations every year, and last year they helped 32 different organizations.

Doors open to the auction at 5 p.m., and there will be cookies and Wassail apple cider.

On Saturday, Dec. 2 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., the Festival of Trees will continue with viewing and entertainment in the Worland Community Center. During this time, people can go to the community center to view the decorated trees and wreaths, have drinks and treats and enjoy live entertainment. People will get a chance to vote on their favorite tree as well. According to Craft, the music will start at 10 a.m. with the Christmas Belles. Then, the Sugar Beats will perform from 10:30 to 11 a.m., Kurt’s Karate will perform from 11 to 11:45 a.m., the Worland High School band and choir will perform from 12 to 12:45 p.m.

Craft said, “Saturday is my favorite part of the Festival of Trees. I love seeing the kids come in and look at all the pretty trees.”

BREAKFAST WITH SANTA

Kiwanis’ Breakfast with Santa will be from 8 to 11 a.m. at the Worland Senior Center. There are fees for breakfast only and for photos. This annual fundraiser started in 2008, according to Kiwanis member Steve Radabaugh, who has been a member of Kiwanis for around 10 years. Radabaugh said that while faces have changed throughout the years, the event has largely remained the same since its beginning.

“The funds [from this event] go into the Kiwanis project fund that we use to help the youth of the community,” said Radabaugh. Some organizations that have been helped include the Elks Diaper Bank, library programs, the robotics team, the community garden, Sleep in Heavenly Peace and more.

The Kiwanis club, which is a global organization made up of volunteers working to improve their communities, meets in Worland every other Tuesday at the Worland Community Center. Radabaugh said, “If someone wants to get involved, they can come to a meeting, or talk to any of the current members.”

PARADE OF LIGHTS

“Candyland” will be coming to Worland with this year’s Worland-Ten Sleep Chamber of Commerce Parade of Lights. The parade will start at Ace Hardware on Big Horn Ave. and end on Railway Ave., beginning at 6 p.m. Various businesses and organizations from the community will participate in the “Candyland”-themed parade, as well as Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus. According to Chamber of Commerce executive director Ruth Dugger, the parade has been a holiday tradition for many years in Worland and is always a big success.

This year’s grand marshal is the Northern Wyoming News, which has been in business in Worland since 1905, first as the Worland Grit, then the Northern Wyoming Daily News and the Northern Wyoming News since 2019.

Aside from the parade itself, a variety of other activities will be taking place at the same time. Goose’s Liquor will have fire pits and be selling hot chocolate and apple cider during the parade. Kara Anderson reported to the city council on Nov. 21 that the Matamoros taco truck will also be there. A request for a street closure on North Eighth from Big Horn Avenue to the alley by Goose’s was approved by the council. The closure will begin at 4 p.m. and should end shortly after the parade.

Larsen’s Bicycle’s will also be providing two bicycles for the chamber’s bike raffle, open to children ages 3 to 12, according to the chamber assistant coordinator Elizabeth Bankert. People may enter the raffle for free during the parade in Pioneer Square. The winners of the raffle will be announced on Dec. 4 on Facebook during a livestream.

During and after the parade, Frontier Tire will be providing a free chili dinner in Pioneer Square, with Worland Healthcare and Rehab Center providing chili condiments. Girl Scouts will also provide hot chocolate.

Following the parade, Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus will be available for photos in Pioneer Square.