By Mike McKenna
A lot of good things have been happening in the biggest city in the Wood River Valley recently. Hailey just replaced a vacant lot on Main Street with one of the most well-respected hotel chains in the world. Affordable housing units are going up on both River and Main streets. And now there’s hope that the city will receive a grant to build a much-needed campground on the edge of town, at the mouth of Croy Canyon.
As February rolls in, there are two more reasons to be happy about what’s happening in Hailey: The 1st Ice Carving Event: Seven Nights of Snow & Lights, begins Feb. 6; and the Hailey Tree Committee has introduced a Heritage Tree program to honor and help protect trees throughout the city.
The Chamber and the City of Hailey are teaming up to put on the 1st Ice Carving Event: Seven Nights of Snow & Lights begins on Saturday, Feb. 6with a handful of local teams creating art out of giant blocks of ice. The sculptures will then be on display on East Croy Street, by the Hailey Public Library, from Feb. 7-14. The public will be asked to vote for their favorite on the City of Hailey’s Facebook page. The temporary artwork will hopefully be the start of a winter tradition.
“We just wanted to do something that would celebrate the season and give people a chance to enjoy some unique winter art,” said James LaPointe, the City of Hailey Public Works staffer who’s helping spearhead the event. “It will give people a chance to walk or drive by and enjoy the beauty of Hailey. Given the current conditions of the last 10 months, events like these are sorely needed.”
For more information, please call The Chamber at (208) 788-3484.
The City of Hailey and the Hailey Tree Committee are proud to announce a new Heritage Tree program created to recognize and help preserve historic and unique trees in the community.
Heritage Trees have characteristics that might include: large or mature trees; trees with unique aesthetic, botanical, ecological or historical values; or trees with a special story. A nomination form has been created and can be found online at HaileyCityHall.org or in hard copy form at City Hall. Any tree with Heritage Tree traits within the city limits can be nominated by anyone. There are no limits to nominations.
After a tree has been designated as a Heritage Tree, information about it will be shared with the public. A future goal is to create a Heritage Tree walking tour of Hailey.
For more information, go to HaileyCityHall.org\contact or email stephanie.cook@haileycityhall.org.
