While most Montana communities are scheduled to take part in "Shop Small Saturday", merchants in Hamilton are once more using Black Friday to get a jump on the holiday business and celebrations. 

The Hamilton Downtown Association has been actively participating in the nationwide promotion to promote local merchants ever since "Small Business Saturday" was launched several years ago. But Hamilton has always used the entire Thanksgiving weekend as the official kick-off for the Christmas shopping season in the Bitterroot. 

Once more this year, Hamilton businesses will start the season with the Christmas Stroll and Tree Lighting Ceremony on Friday afternoon and evening. 

The Tuba Santas are back!

Starting at 4:30 pm, shoppers will be invited to come and take part in the Stroll, which encourages them to walk the blocks along Main Street for the first look at all the merchants' Christmas decorations and displays. To make the event extra fun for families, the Hamilton Downtown Association has also planned for an appearance by Santa, and music from the Bitterroot Valley Choral, the Tuba Santas, and Montana ACapella. 

Other activities include a Christmas Market, Lego display, free carriage rides, and street food vendors serving up holiday treats including mulled wine, hot cocoa, and s'mores. 

The lighting of the tree next to the Hamilton post office is scheduled to start at 5:30 pm. 

"Shop Small Saturday" kicks off tomorrow with merchants offering special deals and activities, with more carriage rides from 11 am to 2 pm on Main Street. 

Additional family activities will take place every Friday evening through the Christmas shopping season. 

THANK YOU! Photos from the 2022 Guerrilla Turkey Drive in Missoula, Montana

Townsquare Media Missoula would like to extend our sincere gratitude to all the members of the community who made the 2022 Guerrilla Turkey Drive possible this year! A special thank you to our sponsors Decker Trucking, KPAX, and Missoula Electric Cooperative. It was a fantastic day of giving. πŸ¦ƒπŸ’›

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