Have some fun this holiday season

NEWPORT – If the festive spirit is indicative of anything in the Pend Oreille Valley, it’s that one doesn’t need to break the bank to create wonderful holiday memories.

Below is a list of free events and activities in Pend Oreille and Bonner Counties (some events are fundraisers and ask for donations). Entries are organized by date.

Lake Ladies Christmas Party

Join the Lake Ladies Book Club Christmas Party Friday, Dec. 13 at 10 a.m. at Priest Lake Public Library. Participants are asked to bring a wrapped, used book for the exchange game.

The library is located at 28769 Hwy. 57.

Santa at Priest River Animal Rescue

Santa Claus and the Grinch will be at the Priest River Animal Rescue Critters Thrift Store for photos with family and pets Friday, Dec. 13, 3-6 p.m. There will be free hot chocolate and goodies. For more information, call 208-448-1180.

Critters Thrift Store is located at 5538 Hwy. 2 in Priest River.

Pictures With Santa (and ponies)

Santa Claus and his two mini ponies will be available for photos at West Pend Oreille Fire District Saturday, Dec. 14 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. There will be free hot cocoa and cookies.

The event is located at Station 1, 61 Airfield Way in Priest River.

Free Christmas Movie Night

The Newport Roxy Theatre will host a free Christmas movie night Saturday, Dec. 14 starting with Home Alone at 2:30 p.m.

The comedy Elf will follow at 4:45 p.m.

Admission is free to the public. Regular concession prices still apply.

The Roxy is located at 120 S. Washington St. in Newport.

See Santa and his reindeer

Santa Claus and his reindeer, Donner and Blitzen, will be at the Kalispel Park Sunday, Dec. 15 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Guests can get their pictures taken with Santa and decorate Christmas cookies.

Dress for the weather.

Kalispel Park is located at 420 Qlispe’ River Way in Cusick.

American Legion Auxiliary Christmas Party

The public is invited to the American Legion Auxiliary Unit 217 Christmas party Sunday, Dec. 15, 1-3:30 p.m. at the American Legion Calispel Post 217 at 105 Timber St., Cusick. There will be free gifts, door prizes, library crafts and pictures with Santa.

Ornament decorating Dec. 16

There will be Christmas ornament decorating for the whole family at the Camas Center for Community Wellness Monday, Dec. 16, 4-6 p.m. For more information, contact Hollie Axel at 509-447-7283.

The center is located at 1897 LeClerc Rd. N., Cusick.

Gingerbread Party Fundraiser

There will be a gingerbread party hosted by Girl Scout Troop 2378 at Create Art Center Sunday, Dec. 15, noon to 4 p.m.

Participants are invited to join in the fun or stop by for a gingerbread kit to-go. All proceeds support the Girl Scout troop. Cost is $5 per gingerbread house kit, $15 for family kits (three kits included), $1 Santa Claus letter station and $2 for face painting. There will also be a hot cocoa station (donations encouraged) and a free photo booth.

Create is located at 900 W. 4th St. in Newport.

Winter Wonderland at Priest Lake Library

Priest Lake Public Library will host its Winter Wonderland gift wrapping and card/craft station throughout the month of December during opening hours. Join the library every Friday at 10 a.m. to learn how to make a different craft. The library is open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The library’s holiday party is Friday, Dec. 20 at 2 p.m. Bring a secret Santa gift to share.

The library is located at 28769 Hwy. 57.

Santa’s Workshop at Hospitality House

The fifth Annual Santa’s Workshop for ages 3 to 15 is Saturday, Dec. 21 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Hospitality House located at 216 S. Washington Ave. in Newport. There will be photos with Santa, a card making station, coffee, hot chocolate and apple cider. Kids shop for free.

Free showing of Muppet Christmas Carol

The Pend Oreille County Library District is hosting a free showing of the 1992 family musical ‘The Muppet Christmas Carol’ Saturday, Dec. 21, 3 p.m. at the NuVu Showhouse. Children will receive a free small popcorn. All other concession prices still apply. The NuVu is located at 523 N.

Commercial St., Metaline Falls.

Volunteers needed for Christmas Bird Count

The Pend Oreille Christmas Bird Count will be held this year on Sunday, Dec. 22.

Everyone is invited to participate. People will meet at Audrey’s Restaurant in Newport at 7 a.m. Coffee and breakfast can be had while routes are divided up and maps distributed. Participants will leave at 7:30 and meet up again at Mi Pueblo restaurant at 4 p.m. to coalesce bird numbers and talk over the day’s sightings.

To participate and for more information, email Stuart at [email protected] or call 509-671-1443.