Light show brings Christmas cheer to Plains

Danielle Switalski

Sanders County residents do not have to search too far to find some Christmas spirit, they simply have to drive through the Sanders County fairgrounds in Plains for some holiday cheer.

The Christmas lighting ceremony took place Sunday evening at the fairgrounds. Chili dogs and hot chocolate were served in the pavilion and all 298 hot dogs were given out, which confirms what organizer Mike Hashisaki said at the start of the ceremony that it appears to be a “pretty good turnout.”

Lights hung from all around and new LED lights, which are made to last and stay up year round, illuminated the fairgrounds and hung from almost every tree.

“We’ve about reached the extent of what we can do here, we have stuff on every tree and anything that doesn’t move has a light on it,” said Hashisaki.

A giant crowd of kids gathered around Santa Claus who was brought into the fair grounds on a horse drawn surrey, driven by Warren Wickum, before plopping himself down at the Santa Claus hut to give out free candy canes to all of the youngsters.

New this year was a table of toys stationed next to Santa Claus. The toys were brought in by Little Bitterroot and every kid was allowed to make a toy selection to take home.

The evening concluded with a fireworks display. The fireworks used were those leftover from the Fourth of July.

The lights will now be turned on every evening until New Years Day. Santa Claus will also make an appearance every Friday and Saturday night until December 19 to hand out candy canes to the children.

The Christmas light show was started 15 years ago by two Plains residents, Hashisaki and Kim McNeil after they thought it would be a good idea to turn the fair’s flagpole into a Christmas tree. The event began to grow more and more every year and eventually Hashisaki got the Fair Foundation involved to help fund the event.

Hashisaki estimated they spend around $3,000 on lights every year. However, they are in the process of switching over to all LED lights, which last longer, in the attempt to reduce the power bill.

Hashisaki and McNeil began to decorate immediately following the Sanders County Fair back in early September.

Although cars were not allowed in the fairgrounds on Sunday night, people are now allowed to drive through the display and just enjoy the lights.

All Hashisaki asks is that people please control their kids and do not allow them to run and jump over the lights.