Angela Brandt Havre Daily News abrandt@havredailynews.com
If anyone was dreaming for a white Christmas, they will more than likely get their wish. Those northcentral Montanans who are yearning for an old-fashioned hayride through town also can see their vision come to fruition. Rudyard, a small Hi-Line town known for its quirky sign on U.S. Highway 2 that shows passers-by the population of “nice people” and “one old sore head” and a museum on the Montana Dinosaur Trail, will host its first Festival of Lights on Sunday. The festivities will include $5 showings of “Miracle on 34th Street” at the Hi-Line Theater at 1 and 4 p.m. and extended hours for the depot and dinosaur museum, which will be open from 1 until 5 p.m. Everything but entrance to the movie will be free to participants. Free-will donations will be accepted. The quaint community has organized Thursday afternoon strolls during the winter holidays for the last 25 or so years but Rudyard’s Commercial Club decided to do something different this year, club member Lila Redding said. It is planned to be an annual event to help raise funds for beautification projects. “It’s something to better the town. This money will go to get new Christmas lights,” Redding said. The newly renovated rock building on the town’s main street, which is slated to soon become a vintage automobile museum, will house Santa for the afternoon. He will pose next to an antique sleigh, borrowed from the Depot Museum, handing out popcorn balls. Also in the rock structure will be about 20 crafters selling their goods and carolers singing holiday selections. The town’s cafe, We Bie Dining, will serve chili and hot dogs during the festivities. The adjoining senior center will present Christmas classics played by local children on the piano and an array of desserts. The center also will house a silent auction of donated items to benefit the commercial club’s projects. Rudyard businesses are opening their doors on Sunday as well and will have specials for the day. Plans for next year’s festival have already begun. Redding said the club has reserved the 1934 film “White Christmas” to play in 2007.
