Carnival brings joy to local families
<p>Bransen Holzer, left, Brielle Holzer and Eva Holzer have their picture taken with Santa Saturday during the kiddy carnival at Asa Wood.</p>
<p>One of Santa's helpers Cynthia Curtiss as the head elf.</p>
<p>Lexi Porteus chats with Santa Saturday during the kiddie carnival at Asa Wood.</p>
<p>Brady Laffoon, 4, tries his hand at making a pine cone bird feeder Saturday at Asa Wood.</p>
<p>Alexia Goucher, left, and Christina Goucher meet Santa during the kiddie carnival at Asa Wood Saturday evening.</p>
<p>Breydon Thompson scores during the apple bobbing during the kiddie carnival Saturday at Asa Wood.</p>
Several of Libby’s local organizations and businesses banded together to provide Libby families with a free night of fun.
The third annual Christmas Carnival happened Saturday, Dec. 5, at Asa Wood School from 5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. People of all ages entered for free to a night of games, treats, presents and a visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus in the former school’s auditorium.
Booths were set up where attendees could buy treats, play games, open presents and make craft projects.
The event included activities such as a bounce house, bobbing apples, bowling, crafting tables, a train set on display, a dartboard and a visit with Santa Claus. Allen Olsen of Antler Tree Nursery and Gifts, who organized the event, said that everyone at the event got a prize, no matter what.
First to visit the man in red were the Holzer family. Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Brandon Holzer, his wife Tanya and their three children, 7-year-old Bransen, 2-year-old Brielle and 2-month-old Eva were among the first to arrive at the event and the three children had the first opportunity to tell Santa their Christmas wishes and get their picture taken with him.
The event also featured an appearance by Hamburglar, one of the mascots of McDonald’s, who handed out vouchers for McDonald’s ice cream to children standing in line.
Olsen originally organized the event in December of 2013 and asked several local businesses to participate. Olsen said the goal for the event was to provide local children with an opportunity to have some free, holiday-themed fun.
“It’s just something for the kids, for free,” said Olsen. “It’s just my civic duty.”
Olsen plans to have another one of these events next December. According to him, the event will happen on either Saturday, Dec. 3 or Saturday, Dec. 10.
“We’re hoping to make it bigger and better for next year,” said Olsen.
The businesses that contributed to the carnival were Antler Tree Nursery, Good News Christian Books & Music, Crafted in Montana, Alpha Computers, Kootenai Karacters, Cabinet Peaks Medical Center, Libby Church of God, Faith Bible Church, For HIS Glory, McDonald’s, the Libby School District and the Libby Area Chamber of Commerce.