Christmas lights return to fairgrounds

PLAINS – After a long fight to get the Christmas Lights back at the Sanders County Fairgrounds, those gunning for the lights have finally seen a victory.

Earlier in the year, it was released that there would be no lights this year. However, after a handful of donations, the lights will be making a return once again blanketing the Sanders County Fairgrounds with thousands of twinkling lights.

“We had over $5,000 worth of donations from local community members that said we want the lights,” said Fair Board Manager Mike Hashisaki.

The donations also helped purchase LED rope lights, which use one-tenth of the power that incandescent lights do. Almost all of the lights will be replaced with the LED lights except for two trees by the Fairgrounds office and two big maple trees on one of the fairgrounds’ midways.

According to Hashisaki, this will help save money on the electric bill. Next year the plan is to replace the remainder of the incandescent lights as well.

With the new lights in place, most of the work is eliminated for years to come.

“Once you get a rope light up, it stays there forever until you cut down the tree because they don’t fade in the sun like other bulbs do,” explained Hashisaki.

The change will greatly decrease the amount of time it takes to set up the fairgrounds lighting. Hashisaki explained there would still be work to be done every year because of the set up of the manger scene as well as the arches and other decorations but the amount of time will be greatly slashed since most of the lights will already be up.

The lights are scheduled to turn on the Sunday before Thanksgiving, which lands on November 24th.

According to Hashisaki, the yearly tradition of Santa Claus will be upheld. Depending on the weather, Santa will be brought into the fairgrounds on either a Christmas light bedecked wagon or sleigh. The VFW Post will also offer candy canes for all the kids in attendance and the hope is to have fireworks again this year.

The fireworks were found in storage and Hashisaki said they will come at no additional cost to the county since they were already paid for.

A holiday bazaar will be in the pavilion on the 23rd and the 24th and free chili dogs and hot chocolate will be given away during the lighting ceremony.

To keep the tradition of free goods alive, Northwestern Energy donated $250 for both the chili dogs and the hot chocolate.

“That’s a nice thing for Northwestern Energy to do,” said Hashisaki.

This week volunteers will flood the fairgrounds to help set up the remainder of the lights and decorations. The big flagpole, archways and other figurines still need to be set up.

Typically the group has more time for the setup but since the decision to have the lights came late, the group has to hustle to make sure everything gets done on time.

The Plains Community Market helped donate money but Hashisaki said the checks are what ensured the lights would return.

“People actually stood up and wrote checks, good sized checks,” said Hashisaki.

Hashisaki is pleased to bring the lights back to the community. Not only does Sanders County enjoy the lights but people from as far as Washington, Idaho and even Canada make trips to the fairgrounds to enjoy the winter wonder world that is created by the thousands of glowing lights.

In the years to come, Hashisaki believes the lights will continue to be fueled by donations.

“It’ll probably continue because people like to give for things like this,” said Hashisaki.

In its 20th year, the Christmas lights will once again dazzle spectators from near and far.