By Mike McKenna
We tend to think of November as a quiet time here in the Wood River Valley. But that’s not the case for The Chamber. As usual, we’ve got a lot of fun things going on this month. So here’s a rundown of what’s happening.
The November Business After Hours (BAH) is teaming up with St. Luke’s Wood River for a special Holiday Open House. The hospital’s Volunteer Board and the Retail Therapy Gift Shop will make sure we kick off the holiday season in style.
Festivities include a variety of great holiday gift options, tasty treats from the hospital’s noted kitchen, adult beverages and updates on the latest news from St. Luke’s and The Chamber. The Volunteer Board will also be offering free gift wrapping, with all proceeds from the Gift Shop going to support local health-related programs.
The Holiday Open House BAH is on Wednesday, Nov. 13 from 4:30-7 p.m. at St. Luke’s Wood River Medical Center at 100 Hospital Drive, just south of Ketchum. The event is free and everyone is welcome to attend.
Come celebrate our community at The Chamber’s Annual Dinner and Awards Banquet on Thursday, Nov. 14 from 6-8 p.m. at Mountain Humane’s Penny Barn. The party includes music from R.L. Rowsey, dinner from KB’s, a trivia game, a new-member drawing and an awards ceremony honoring local businesses, nonprofits and citizens of the Wood River Valley. Warfield Distillery & Brewery is providing beer, while 5B Vino Valet is supplying wine. Tickets to the event are $35 and can be purchased online at HaileyIdaho.com.
A favorite local tradition, the 16th Annual Turkey Trot takes place on Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, Nov. 28, starting at 10 a.m. in front of Sturtevants on Main Street in Hailey. The 5k Fun Run and Walk meanders through the Wood River Land Trust’s Draper Preserve before looping back along River Street.
The family- and leashed-pet-friendly event is part of the holiday tradition for many local families. There are all kinds of kids like mine who have started just about every Thanksgiving of their lives with the Turkey Trot, followed by watching football, stuffing ourselves like turkeys and then having family arguments over board games.
We owe a big thanks to Daryl Fauth and Blaine County Title, who founded and still support the event, Mountain West Bank and the city staff and police department of Hailey for making the Turkey Trot happen.
To register for the Turkey Trot, please go to HaileyIdaho.com. The first 500 registrants will receive a Turkey Trot schwag bag. Prices go up after Nov. 26.
Finally, our beloved Sun Valley Suns hockey team will be “puttin’ on the foil” as they kick off the season against the burly Bozeman Sting Nov. 28-30 at Campion Ice House in Hailey.
We hope to see you at these events as we try to make it a November to remember.
For questions about these or any other Chamber-related events, or for more information, please call (208) 788-3484 or email Info@ValleyChamber.org.
Mike McKenna is the executive director of The Chamber – Hailey & The Wood River Valley. He can be reached at Mike@ValleyChamber.org or by calling (208) 788-3484.