A century ago, Yellowstone Mercantile proudly proclaimed itself as "The Christmas Store". A banner with the statement was displayed across the front as the children of the community gathered to have a group picture taken.
Area children will again gather at Yellowstone Marketplace (formerly Yellowstone Mercantile) to kick off the Christmas season as they anxiously wait to have their pictures taken with Santa 3-5 p.m. Friday. A short talk with Santa, a photo and a candy treat will be available. Kids and parents are asked to use the side entrance.
If the line gets to be "just too much", don't worry. Santa will be back at Yellowstone Marketplace every Saturday and Sunday until Christmas. Jolly Old St. Nick will take center stage both weekend days from 1-4 p.m. His visits will begin this Saturday and Sunday.
Santa is a hard act to follow, but Yellowstone Marketplace will be full of excitement during the Sidney Chamber Christmas Stroll.
If shoppers take advantage of the early Christmas bargains in any Sidney store this Friday, they can have their gifts wrapped at the Marketplace from 1-7 p.m. The 4-Ever Buds 4-H Club will sponsor the wrapping for free-will donations. The 4Hers will also have a bake sale. Get there early if you want baked goodies.
The Sidney Gymnastic Club competition team will be performing just inside the front door of the Marketplace beginning around 3 p.m. They will be raising funds by selling hot chocolate and flavored coffees inside. Gymnastic moms and dads will be on the street offering tacos in a bag, chili, slushburgers and hot wings.
The Salvation Army will be conducting their annual bell ringing at the corner of Central and Main in front of the Marketplace.
If you can't make it downtown during the Christmas Stroll and have access to a computer, you can watch the festivities on The "Sidney Cam" courtesy of roundupweb.com. Just click on and follow the directions. You should be able to catch Santa's arrival in Sidney (2 p.m.), the Christmas Stroll entertainment (4-7 p.m.) and the annual Parade of Lights (7 p.m.) The downtown activities are sponsored by local merchants and the Sidney Chamber. The Boys & Girls Club of Richland County, Key Club, BPA and Family Resource Center will be holding their annual Parade of Trees auction from 6-7 p.m. at Village Square Mall.
Check out the great store window decorations at the Marketplace and throughout downtown. Don't miss the unique water falls Christmas display in Yellowstone Marketplace. Come in and register for a couple of cash giveaway drawings.
Yellowstone Marketplace has been gearing up for holiday shopping with lots of new agate, gemstone, silver and gold jewelry plus agate carvings. Tom Harmon and his son, Jim, create some of the most sought-after jewelry in the U.S. You can watch Jim as he brings another masterpiece to life in the Montana Agate Museum which is moving to the Marketplace to join the Yellowstone Agate and Silver store.
The newest service at the Marketplace is Spencers Arts. His unique artwork pops up everywhere … on walls, canvases and even bodies.
Kevin and Amy Armstead have a different kind of art at their popular Sandwich Artist café in the Marketplace with fresh and tasty toasted paninis, deli sandwiches, wraps and soups.
Another Marketplace store that's been rocking the city folks, local sports fans, farm and ranch community and oil patch is Big Sky Embroidery Post. Check their display window for some great Christmas gift ideas.
Mainstay Marketplace stores, LK Fashions and Country Outlet, round out the retail offering. The party's not over yet. The Marketplace houses one of Sidney newest restaurants, Betania Ristorante Italiano. The Italian cuisine is fine dining but the owner stresses that customers are just as welcome in grubbies as in dressier attire. The Betania Vino and Bira is the smallest lounge in town, but it offers some great Italian wines and a selection of popular beers. Customers are welcome to sit and eat in the lounge or enjoy food and beverages in the two dining levels. Due to Santa's visit, Betania will not open until 6 p.m. Friday for evening dining. The restaurant and Marketplace stores will be open until 9 p.m. Friday.
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