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your homegrown newspaper December 3, 2025
Vol. 22, No. 13
Holiday events planned throughout communities valley-wide By Joyce Lobeck for the Valley Journal
AIS
pg. 5
Food Drive pg. 7
Yellowstone 'quakes pg. 12
MISSION VALLEY — Communities are celebrating the holiday season with parades, festivals and other activities in Polson, Ronan and St. Ignatius in the next few weeks leading up to Christmas. Polson Polson’s annual Parade of Lights, a longtime favorite community event, takes place on Friday, December 5, starting at 6 p.m. with a mix of festive floats created by individuals, organizations and businesses. In addition to the parade, the event will include food vendors, late-night shopping and an appearance by Santa Claus, according to the Polson Chamber of Commerce. Helping Hands of Mission Valley will be present accepting donations through the organization’s green bucket campaign. Entry fee is $25. Sign up is still open online at polsonchamber.com/ events. Parade lineup
SUMMER GODDARD / VALLEY JOURNAL PHOTO
Community members gather on the county courthouse lawn in Polson for the annual Christmas tree lighting on Saturday, Nov. 29.
begins at 5 p.m. at the parade lineup location on 9th Avenue West south of Cherry Valley Elementary School. Enter from 2nd Street West. Entries are required to have walkers at each front wheel for safety.
The parade will take 9th Avenue West, turn left onto Main Street and continue to 3rd Avenue, then turn onto 1st Street West where it will disperse. Prizes will be awarded for Best of Parade, Most Humorous, w w w.va l le yj our na l.net
Best Lights and Most Creative. For more information, call the chamber at 406883-5969. St. Ignatius The annual St. Ignatius Christmas Festival will
take place on Saturday, Dec. 6, jam packed with fun activities from 5 to 8 p.m. at Good Old Days Park, said Darren Orr, a member of the St. Ignatius Chamber of Comsee page 2