Carbon County Christmas begins

December 3 started the Christmas season in Carbon County in a resounding manner as holiday events were held in several different communities.

At the "Old Pen" in Rawlins, there was a bazaar and the town's "Festival of Trees" in the evening. The cowboy town also played host to "Rudolph the Red Nose Christmas" at the Carbon County Fairgrounds. The event started at 11 a.m. and ended by 3 p.m. Damien Cesko, one of the hosts for the event, said there was a line to get in. The winter wonderland of reindeer fun and games was non-stop busy once the doors opened. All those entering, especially with kids, understood why the event was so busy. It was a display of Christmas decorations one would probably only see in Denver or Salt Lake City. As children came in, they were given antlers and a red nose. The kids were also given three tickets for carnival games that awaited inside.

Besides the carnival, in which children found themselves playing and winning prizes, there were petting goats and eight animatronic reindeer spread throughout the Rudolph Red Nose Christmas party area. Their lifelike movements had many kids convinced the reindeer were real."We got them from Home Depot but they all came from different stores. Some came from Utah, some Nebraska," Cesko said. "We coordinated with people coming through Rawlins to bring these reindeer here. Actually we had a lot of people helping scrounge around all over to bring this Rudolph Christmas together." There was a 15 foot Rudolph flashing his red nose overlooking the crowd. Cesko said the carnival games and set up were from an old carnival supply place. "That is why it looks like it is from the days of the carnivals you see in old movies," Cesko said. "Ryta (Sondergaard) also bought games and Sinclair offered some of their games as well. That is why there is so much for kids to do and see."

Cesko said there were 80 trees throughout and hundreds of gnomes, "The 18 foot Christmas tree is decorated like a gnome if you look," Cesko said. "Ryta was even trying to bring in real reindeer for this event, but because of some disease cattle can get from reindeer, Wyoming doesn't allow them in the state without some special use permit we just couldn't get in time."

Cesko said when kids leave, they get a present and box lunch. "We couldn't do all this without support from so many people," he said. "Thousands of hours were spent putting this all together. Ryta does need to be singled out for all her hard work and what she does to make this successful. She goes all out for the kids and it shows." It did.

Rawlins was not the only Carbon County town having events that were drawing people. The Hanna Miner Memorial Recreation Center hosted its annual Craft Bazaar Saturday as well.

The Hanna Volunteer Fire Department offered green chili burritos as a fundraising event while 22 vendors offered 35 tables of crafts ready to be purchased for Christmas gifts. "The craft fair flowed really nicely," Tracy McPherson, one of the vendors said. "The people that came through seemed really happy with the variety and quantity of what was being offered. Plus all the vendors made money," McPherson said.

This is the seventh year she has participated at Hanna Craft Bazaar. "There was a real positive feeling all around when I went to other sellers and asked how they were doing. I also know people were impressed with the decorations and the Santa Claus room. Everyone loved Santa Claus and his little elf too." McPherson said referring to a racquetball court which had been converted into a throne room for jolly Saint Nick.

The bazaar was followed with a Christmas parade in Hanna and a  lighting of the Christmas tree the recreation center. A candlelight vigil was also held. Candles were purchased, lit and prayers were said for loved ones no longer present. The funds from the purchase of the candles, went to the Hanna Cemetery. At the end of evening, at the recreation center, cookies and hot chocolate were served. There was a real feeling Christmas had started in this part of northern Carbon County.

The event in Hanna ended with just enough time to get to Saratoga for an evening function that was for the adults. The Platte Valley Community Center was definitely the place to be. Over 50 people attended the Saratoga Museum's event, A Toast to History. Museum Director Dana Davis said five restaurants donated hors d'oeuvres; Bella's, Saratoga Sandwich Shop Company, Hotel Wolf, Sunny Cup and the Saratoga Hot Springs Resort. Wines were paired with the food being served.

"I really have to thank the restaurants for all that they contributed," Davis said. "Also, I am grateful for all those who came to support the museum because this sort of event does help us keep the museum open to preserve the history of the Valley."

Davis said, there were 16 different wines offered from the Von Stiehl Winery. "The favorite seemed to be a dessert wine–Winter Wine," Davis said. "I made cards for each type of wine so guests would be able to read about the wine before trying it." There was also silent auction which helped raise funds and a toast at the end of the evening to everyone that helps support the preservation of the Valley's history.

Davis said the Saratoga Museum was not done spreading holiday cheer."The Museum will be having a game night for those who might not have family around this Christmas or for people who just really like to play board games," Davis said. "It is happening on Christmas Eve from 1 to 5 p.m. The finger foods will be by Grumpy Italian. It's BYOBG (bring your own board game)." As Davis pointed out, there is still more to come this Christmas season, but this past Saturday gave Carbon Communities a great start to begin to enjoy the holidays.