Mission Valley Calendar

November Gathering – 10:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Nov. 25 at Ninepipes Museum, south of Ronan; featured artists painter and basket maker Jan Kauffman and metal worker and traditional blacksmith Zach Seligman. Informal history/storytelling will be on tap from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. with museum founders Bud and Laurel Cheff, and historians Steve Lozar, Joe McDonald and Bob Bigart. At 1 p.m., Bigart and McDonald will discuss the SKC Press’s latest book release, “Agnes Oshanee Kenmille, Salish Indian Elder and Master Craftswoman. The Late Bloomers entertain with live music from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. 

Shop Small Saturday – 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Nov. 25 in the Mission Valley; research shows that if Lake County residents spent $100 locally instead of online, it would generate over $3 million for the local economy.

Tree Lighting – 6 p.m. Nov. 25 at the Lake County Courthouse in Polson; light up the community tree, while sipping hot cocoa and singing carols. At 5:30 p.m. kids can decorate their own ornaments.

Polson Parade of Lights – 6 p.m. Dec. 1 on Main Street; spectacular floats, food vendors, late-night shopping and, of course, Santa are all part of this family holiday event. To register a float, visit www.polsonchamber.com/.

Reception and Open House: The Magic of Giving – 5-8 p.m. Dec. 1 at the Sandpiper Gallery; works by gallery members are on display through Dec. 31 in this annual holiday show and sale.   

Youth Art Workshop: Cradleboard and Yaya Doll Ornaments – 9 a.m.-noon Dec. 1 at the Arlee Community Development Corporation; free art class for kids in grades 3-8 is taught by Indigenous artist Jenny Fisher. Space is limited; call 406-726-5550 or email info@arleecdc.org.

St. Ignatius Christmas Carnival – 1 p.m. Dec. 2 at the high school gym; carnival games, face painting, crafts, a Christmas movie and an ugly sweater contest are on tap. A tree-lighting begins at 5:30 p.m. at Gariepy Park, followed by the Parade of Lights at 6 p.m., and a chili feed, raffle and live reindeer at Good Old Days Park.

Ronan Parade of Lights – 6 p.m. Dec. 8 in downtown Ronan; floats line up at 5:30 p.m. on Main Street behind St. Luke Hospital for the annual parade, followed by the Holiday Treasures drawings at the Visitor Center, hot cocoa, and pictures with the Jolly Old Gent. Call 406-833-0570 for more info.

Open Mic and Jam – 7 p.m. Fridays at the Western Montana Musicians Co-op, Ronan; also on tap is a weekly Community Jam at 7 p.m. Saturdays. The cooperative is located in the Red Poppy Building, 1 Eisenhower St. SW in Ronan. Learn more at www.mtmusic.org.

Winter Market Ronan – noon-3 p.m. Sundays, through Jan. 28 at the Boys and Girls Club gymnasium in Ronan; shop for handmade, homegrown goods each week.