Bigfork Elves activities begin this weekend, decorating on Nov.19

The holidays are around the corner in Bigfork, and the Elves are getting ready to transform the village by the bay into 'Montana's Christmas Village.'

The Bigfork Elves are a nonprofit with the purpose of decorating Bigfork for Christmas. Their annual festivities kick-off other Christmas events in town.

The work begins this Saturday, Nov. 12 with a volunteer breakfast at Garden Bar, followed by preparations for Decorating Day, which is scheduled for the following weekend.

Volunteers will be split into groups based on age and interest in various tasks. Create new bows with 'Toot's Bow Babes" or follow Rick Trembath into the woods to gather trees to decorate downtown Bigfork. Breakfast will be free for all volunteers and begins at 8 a.m.

Nov. 19 is the official decorating day for the Elves, starting at 8 a.m. in front of the Bigfork Inn for a quick lesson on bow and tree tying before hitting the streets in downtown.

Coffee, hot chocolate and doughnuts will be provided. Chili will also be served at lunch time after decorating has been completed, courtesy of the Garden Bar and the Bigfork Ladies Service Club. Santa Hats will be provided for new elves and pins will be dispensed after decorating is completed. Decorations will stay up until the end of January, and volunteers are invited back to help take them down.

Decorating Day ends around 12 p.m., but stick around for more Christmas events that night. Starting at 4 p.m., join the Art Walk through downtown. Galleries will be offering libations and food to tide your appetites.

Be sure to stay until 7 p.m. for the official Bigfork tree lighting, which includes Christmas Carols, a bonfire and the reading of Night Before Christmas.