Skip to content

Christmas decorations taking shape

Volunteers needed to help dress up downtown Trail in time for Silver City Nites.
20067traildailytimesColumbiaValleyGreenhousebaskets311-6-12
From the left; Lisa Derby and Ingrid Enns volunteered time and creative energy arranging baskets at Columbia Valley Greenhouses for the Silver City Nites celebration.


The scent of Christmas was in the air at Columbia Valley Greenhouses on Friday, as volunteers from Trail Community in Bloom were busy creating festive baskets.

The greenery is part of the downtown winter lights decor.

This year, the foliage for the baskets was collected by helpers who trimmed tress from under the power lines, so instead of compost, the clippings have a second life as a decoration.

So far, volunteers Ingrid Enns and Lisa Derby have arranged more than half of the 60 baskets that will be hung from the lampposts along Bay and Cedar avenues.

“The greens will keep well and don’t require any maintenance,” said Enns.

“They will be a beautiful decoration well into the new year, as long as it stays cold.”

Residents interested in helping bring Christmas cheer to the downtown are being asked to give a hand this week.

“Its lots of fun, and bring your husband along,” joked Enns.

On Wednesday, Enns and Derby will be at the greenhouse from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. to assemble the rest of the baskets for a decoration work party on Nov. 17.

Volunteers are still needed to help decorate downtown.

“It doesn’t have to be an all day thing. Just stop your car for 15 minutes and help hang a string of lights,” Enns suggested.

As first time coordinator for the town decorations, Enns wanted to carry the idea of the Trail Community in Bloom forward into a year-round project.

Her creative vision to adorn the town with a traditional look of wreath and nature-inspired baskets began when the theme for the festival was chosen.

Around town, shoppers may see men tipping their top hats to damsels in petticoats, as the theme this year is Victorian inspired,

The decorations will set the backdrop for this year’s fourth annual Silver City Nites, slated for Dec 7.

The festival is a chance to celebrate winter while encouraging residents to gather downtown to support local business.

That night, part of Cedar Avenue will be closed to traffic, to make way for the Candy Parade and tree lighting ceremony. Downtown shops will be open late for Christmas shopping deals, and the United Steelworkers Local 480 will be on site serving up free hot chocolate and hot dogs.

The preparations start Wednesday at the greenhouse where Santa helpers are encouraged to drop by after 9 a.m. to help assemble baskets.

For more information contact Enns 250-368-3963.



Sheri Regnier

About the Author: Sheri Regnier

Read more