Cowboy Claus leans in close to hear Seeley Lake resident Pyper Neff's Christmas list. Cowboy Claus made his annual appearance in Ovando Nov. 26 at the Old West Christmas Fest.
Marv and Marianne Maki, cabin owners on Seeley Lake, brought their grandchildren to the Old West Christmas Fest for the first time. Siblings (L-R) Maddie, Jack and Coen Winters had a great time decorating their Gingerbread Houses with the help of their father Ben and mother Anna (not pictured).
Siblings Cora, Bria and Lane Woodhouse of Washington enjoyed petting and riding M&M the donkey. They were visiting their grandparents Steve and April Woodhouse, residents of Coopers Lake, and enjoy coming to the Old West Christmas.
Seeley Lake Artist Doug "Hoot" Richards working with children in the Coloring corner. Children could color the packet he put together or use the step-by-step instructions to draw their own dog and enter the contest. The first 40 children each received a metal bucket with crayons and goodies.
Three generations of the Henrekin family take visitors on wagon rides around Ovando. Rob Henrekin is holding his grandson Gus with parents Jessica Lehl driving next to her husband Brandon.
Seeley Lake's Lily Young makes her "Olaf" at the craft table in the Blackfoot Community Bible Church.
Local artists, crafters and area vendors filled the Ovando School gymnasium for the Ovando Craft Fair during the Old West Christmas Fest, Nov. 26.
First grader Hudson Skelton did not need any help mounting the saddle to visit with Cowboy Claus. Cowboy Claus figured he could round up the belt buckle that was on his Christmas list.
OVANDO – Ovando was filled with the Holiday Spirit as Cowboy Claus helped kick off the Christmas season Friday, Nov. 26. Families enjoyed the wagon ride through town stopping downtown for the petting zoo and gingerbread houses and then heading up to the Blackfoot Community Church for crafts, hot drinks and goodies and the Ovando School for the Craft Fair and lunch.
Cowboy Claus was spotted riding down Highway 200 before arriving in Ovando just before 12 p.m. He met with local children and those that were visiting for the Thanksgiving holiday. Children climbed up on an old saddle to share their Christmas wishes. Some of the requests were very fitting for the western cousin to Santa Claus such as a belt buckle and puppy, while other requests will be sent to the Toy Shop on the North Pole for new electronic devices, a Hot Wheels car wash station and dolls. Before riding out, Cowboy Claus strolled through town greeting attendees and passing out candy canes.
Decorating Gingerbread Houses was a hit again this year. In an effort to social distance, family groups had their own table. With every sort of edible decorations available to embellish the graham cracker house, children and adults set to work. Organizer Jean Pocha enjoyed watching the creativity blossom and the houses come to life.
The Henrekin family's team of Percheron horses offered wagon rides around town stopping downtown, at the church and at the school. The Blackfoot Community Bible Church offered snacks and cookies for families to enjoy while watching a movie, coloring and creating an Olaf craft. There were 25 unique Olafs that will be decorating area homes for the season.
Last stop was the Ovando School filled with area artists, crafters and other vendors. From pottery to tac, body essentials to photography, there was something for everyone's Christmas list.
Seeley Lake artist Doug "Hoot" Richards returned with Hoot's Coloring Corner. Each child received a coloring packet with instructions on how to draw a cartoon dog as well as a bucket full of goodies. They could either color the packet or draw their own dog and enter the contest. There were 52 entries in three age categories, the largest participation Richards has ever had when hosting a Kid's Korner. The judges, visitors from California, chose their favorites and winners were: Age 0-5: Grant Keaster and Olivia Bourne; Age 6-9: Abbie Applegate and Francis Valiton; Age 10-12: Brielle and Landon (last names not available).
Attendees agreed that there was something for everyone and it was a great way to get into the Holiday spirit.
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