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Rifle readies for holidays

Will Grandbois
wgrandbois@postindependent.com

Friday, Dec. 2

Window display contest: 5 to 6:30 p.m.

Rudolph’s Amazing Race: 5 to 6:30 p.m.

Rifle Animal Shelter/snacks at the Ute: 5 to 7 p.m.

Santa at the Ute: 5 to 7 p.m.

Open House at Midland Arts: 5 to 9 p.m.

First Friday at the Whistle Pig: 5 to 9 p.m.

Eric Story singing at Rifle Library: 6 to 8 p.m.

Jingle Bell Hop, child care, & crafts at Methodist Church: 7 to 9 p.m.

Ugly sweater beer and cocoa, refreshments, & activities and second street lot tent: 7 to 10 p.m.

Saturday, Dec. 3

Craft fair at RMS: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Craft fair at CVES: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Green Pastures Farm open house: 10 a.m. -to 3 p.m.

Pics with Santa on Second: 10 a.m. to noon

Toy drive and car show on Second: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Bookcliff Arts wreath making: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Treasure hunt downtown: 1 to 5 p.m.

Frosty’s snowball drop: 12:30 p.m.

Reindeer petting zoo: Noon to 4 p.m.

Snacks at the Ute: 1 to 5 p.m.

Ornament making at the Rifle Library: 1 to 5 p.m.

Santa a the Ute: 1 to 5 p.m.

Hay Rides: 3 to 5:30 p.m.

RMB Live Nativity: 5 to 6 p.m.

Tree lighting by mayor: 5:30 p.m.

Marked by Faith concert: 5 to 7:30 p.m.

Bonfire and snacks on Second: 5 to 8 p.m.

Parade of Lights: 6 to 6:30 p.m.

Symphony in the Valley: 7 p.m.

Polar Express at Brenden Theaters: 7 p.m.

Sunday, Dec. 4

Community Choir concert at the Ute: 3 to 5 p.m.

Rifle is gearing up for its third annual “Hometown Holiday” celebration, with many local businesses and organizations already participating and time left to get involved.

Spearheaded by the Rifle Area Chamber of Commerce and sponsored by Johnson Construction, the event takes place Dec. 2, 3 and 4. In an effort to be as egalitarian as possible, the core events are free with donations appreciated.

“We want to bring everyone together around the holidays,” said chamber president Kasey Nispel. “I think we really have an activity for everyone of any age.”



The core events kick off at 5 p.m. Friday with Rudolph’s Amazing Race. Local businesses will each host different competitions, such as decorating a cookie or finding a hidden item. Winners are awarded tickets with a chance to win a prize when the event concludes at the Ute at 7 p.m.. That’s also when the winners of the window display contest will be announced. Displays must be completed by noon on Nov. 30 for official judging, with people’s choice voting on the chamber Facebook page until 5 p.m. Friday.

On Saturday, catch craft fairs at Rifle Middle School and Cactus Valley Elementary. At noon, be downtown as the chamber releases ping pong balls with discounts and promotions from the top of the Ute in Frosty’s Snowball Drop— a new addition.



Plus, in addition to visiting with Santa at the Ute Friday and Saturday, kids are invited to participate in a scavenger hunt downtown from 1 to 5 p.m. In the evening, the parade of lights begins lining up outside the Garfield County Fairgrounds at 4 p.m. on a first come first serve basis, then proceeds down to Highway 6 at 6 p.m.

On Sunday, wrap it up with a community choir concert from 3-5 p.m.


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