ROCK SPRINGS – Christmas is right around the corner and the season will come to life in Downtown Rock Springs this year. According to a press release:

Festival of Trees
The YWCA will once again be hosting their annual Festival of Trees in Downtown Rock Springs, this year in Bunning Hall at the Freight Station.  The event is open to the public:

• November 19, 3 pm to 7 pm
• November 20, 10 am to 5 pm
• November 21, 9 am to 4:30 pm

There is no admission fee and people are encouraged to vote for their favorite tree.  The live auction and reception will be held on November 21 from 3 pm to 6 pm.

Small Business Saturday

November 28 is the day, mark your calendar. Plan to shop downtown and support what makes our community unique.  There will be a special arrival of Santa at 11:00 a.m. as well as free gift wrapping for Downtown purchases at the Historic Train Depot.  There will also be FREE horse-drawn carriage rides around downtown, entertainment, special gifts and great deals.

Letters to Santa
An annual tradition makes its return to Downtown Rock Springs – the arrival of the Letters to Santa mailbox.  The brightly decorated box can be found at the Rock Springs Main Street/URA office (603 S Main Street) starting on Saturday, November 28.  Children can deliver their Letters to Santa anytime from through December 18.  Downtown Dan, Downtown Rock Springs’ elf, will ensure that all letters are sent to the North Pole immediately.  All letters are also guaranteed a personal response from Santa Claus himself!  (But be sure to include complete names and mailing addresses.)

This year’s Letters to Santa program marks its seventh anniversary.

Downtown Dan

Our Elf on the Shelf, Downtown Dan, will be back this year – making stops all around Downtown Rock Springs. Each day from Thanksgiving to December 21, Downtown Dan will be visiting several downtown business and posting a photo of his antics on the Rock Springs Main Street’s Facebook page.  Downtown Dan will be highlighting downtown merchants along with a clue or two to his location.  Facebook fans are invited to guess his location for a chance at daily give-aways.  Everyone playing along will also be entered the weekly drawings for $100 cash.

Holiday Shopping Newspaper Insert

Watch the Rocket Miner (11/25), Green River Star (11/25) and Sweetwater County Guide (11/28) for the full-color, 8-page newspaper insert.  Chock full of great deals and information from Downtown Rock Springs merchants, it will highlight many of the great things to be found Downtown!

Shop ‘Til You Drop Vendor and Craft Fair
On November 28 at the Broadway Theater, we’ll be hosting a vendor and craft fair for home-based businesses and crafters.   The fair is free and open to the public from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

FREE Horse Drawn Carriage Rides
Each Saturday from Thanksgiving until Christmas, residents and visitors alike are invited to enjoy a FREE horse-drawn carriage ride around Downtown Rock Springs.  The carriage rides will take place from 11 am to 2 pm from the Historic Train Depot (501 S Main Street).  Sponsors of the carriage rides include Memorial Hospital of Sweetwater County, Tata Chemicals and Trona Valley Federal Credit Union.

Santa Saturdays

Santa will arrive in Downtown Rock Springs at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, November 28.  He’ll take up residency in the Historic Train Depot at 501 S Main Street and be there every Saturday from Thanksgiving to Christmas, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.  The Rock Springs Main Street/URA will also be offering free gift wrap for downtown purchases and photos with Santa.

Singing in the Season

Local groups will be performing in Bank Court offering sounds of the season.  Patio heaters will be set up in Bank Court to chase away the chill.

Saturday, December 5

12:00 noon – Holy Spirit Catholic School Choir

1:00 p.m. – Legacy Cheer Team

Saturday, December 12

1:00 p.m. – Legacy Cheer Team

Saturday, December 19

1:00 p.m. – Sweetwater BOCES Children’s Choir

Lighted Holiday Parade

The Rock Springs Chamber of Commerce is once again producing the Lighted Holiday Parade onSaturday, December 5 at 5:30 p.m.

Broadway Theater

The Broadway Theater will once again be abuzz with Christmas activity this season!

• November 21 – Toy Story movie (proceeds benefit the Rock Springs Firefighter’s Toys for Kids Drive)
• December 11-12 – Polar Express movie
• December 16 – Rock Springs Kiwanis presents The Magic of Christmas starring Kent Messmer

Mayor’s Tree Lighting

This year the Mayor’s Tree Lighting will be held in a new location, the Cannon Park (intersection of Elk/A Streets and Grant Street) on December 5.  Join the mayor to ring in the season and kick off the Lighted Holiday Parade at 5:00 p.m.

For a full list of activities and more information visit our website at DowntownRS.com 

The Rock Springs Main Street/URA is charged with the redevelopment of Downtown Rock Springs.  As part of their mission, there are four standing committees – Economic Restructuring, Organization, Promotions and Design.  For more information on the program, contact the Rock Springs Main Street/URA at 307-352-1434 or visit their website at DowntownRS.com