Hometown Holidays returns to Rifle once more, running through Thursday, Dec. 5 to Sunday, Dec. 8 and there will be impacts to traffic. 

On Friday night, Dec. 6, Third St. will be completely closed for “The Grinch Steals Third Street”, from 4-8 p.m. 

The official tree lighting ceremony will be at 5 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 7.in Centennial Park. Fireworks will be at 5:30 p.m., set off at Rifle Middle School, which will necessitate the closure of Rifle Creek Trail at 5 p.m. 

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Railroad Ave. will be closed at 4 p.m. in both directions from 14th St. to Centennial Pkwy. These closures will remain in place until after the parade, with an anticipated closure of up to four hours.

Anyone who parks at the Rifle Middle School parking lot will not be able to leave until the parade has ended and Railroad Ave. has been officially reopened. Vehicles exiting from that location will only be allowed to turn right onto Railroad Ave. to facilitate expeditious traffic flow. 

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Please be aware of the events taking place and drive carefully as a large crowd is expected. 

Here is the Hometown Holidays schedule of activities:

Thursday, Dec. 5:

• Alpine Bank Business After Hours at 5:30 p.m. at the Ute Theater., 132 E. Fourth St.

Friday, Dec. 6:

• The Grinch Steals Third Street at 5-8 p.m., at Third Street, Rifle.

Saturday, Dec. 7:

• Craft Fair at 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Rifle Middle School, 753 Railroad Ave. 
• Film: “Polar Express” at 10 a.m. at Brenden Theater, 250 W. Second St. 
• Pet Pictures with Santa from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Journey Home Animal Care Center,1500 Prefontaine Ave. 
• Free Kids Wreath Making from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Bookcliffs Arts Center, 100 E. 16 St. 
• Free Kids Ornament Making from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Rifle Library, 207 East Ave.  
• Santa from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Rifle City Hall, 202 Railroad Ave.
• Free Gift Wrapping from noon to 3 p.m. at Rifle CoWork, 144 E Third St.
• Architectural Scavenger Hunt from noon to 3 p.m., starting and ending at Rifle City Hall, 202 Railroad Ave
• Hay Rides from 1-3 p.m., starting and ending at Rifle Library, 207 East Ave.
• Live Reindeer from 2-4 p.m. in Civic Plaza, 207 East Ave.
• Symphony in the Valley Presents: “Nutcracker” featuring dancers from Colorado West Performing Arts Co. at 2 p.m. at the Ute Theater, 132 E. Fourth St. 
• Follow the Luminaries and Light Nativity Scene at 4 p.m. at Third St. to Centennial Walking Path to tree lighting.
• Tree Lighting at 5 p.m. in Centennial Park.
• Holiday Fireworks Show from 5:30-5:50 p.m. in Centennial Park, 300 W. Fifth St
• Parade of Lights at 6 p.m., at Railroad Ave. from Garfield County Fairgrounds to Brenden Theater, 250 W. Second St
• After Parade at Brenden Theater, 250 W. Second St.
• Symphony in the Valley Presents: “Nutcracker” featuring dancers from Colorado West Performing Arts Co. at 7 p.m. at the Ute Theater, 132 E. Fourth St

Sunday:

• Symphony in the Valley Presents: “Nutcracker” featuring dancers from Colorado West Performing Arts Co. at 2 p.m. and at 4:30 p.m. at the Ute Theater, 132 E. Fourth St.

For all events and more details of Hometown Holiday, go to visitrifle.com/hometown-holiday/.