Remote Surveillance Trailer in Fallon, NV

The city Christmas tree has been installed on Maine Street and the decorations include a special “250” gold tree topper in anticipation of America’s 250th birthday next July.

The annual tree-lighting ceremony comes a week after hundreds of residents took advantage of Black Friday deals and then shopped the area’s small businesses Saturday looking for that ideal gift.

For the city’s celebration to kick off the season, the lights will illuminate a 50-foot white fir nicknamed “Lucky” that towers over the street’s fountain and was harvested from Snowy Peaks Tree Farm in Foresthill, California. The tree will sparkle with great fanfare at 6:30 p.m. with Christmas carols led by the Churchill Kids Choir and patriotic fireworks adding that special touch.

Prior to the tree lighting, the city’s annual open house begins at 4:30 p.m. with refreshments, cookie decorating and tours of the Fallon City Hall and the historic Douglass House. This week’s theme at the Fallon On Ice skating rink is “Onesie Night.”

Afterward, Santa Claus stops by for photos, and will ask the children if they’ve been good. The Fallon Theatre will host a free concert by the Lahontan Valley Concert Choir along with showings of classic Christmas cartoons and “Jingle All the Way.”

Susan and Gary Imelli will light this year’s downtown Christmas tree during a Friday celebration.

“Few things capture the magic of the holidays like gathering with our community to light Fallon’s iconic Christmas tree,” said Mayor Ken Tedford. “This year we’re especially excited to feature a gold illuminated ‘250’ as the tree topper, as well as red, white and blue fireworks honoring America250. We invite everyone to join us for a night of joy, festive local traditions and a celebration of Fallon’s history, community and holiday spirit.”

This year honorees Gary and Susan Imelli will push the plunger to turn on the lights. As a lifelong Fallon resident and 1964 graduate of Churchill County High School, Gary earned a football scholarship to Western Montana College in Dillon, Montana. While there he met Susan and received a teaching degree. He taught for a while in Montana while she interned at the hospital and completed her lab technician degree, after which they returned to Fallon. Gary moved through the Churchill County School District as an educator and eventually became the superintendent. Susan spent her career as a lab technician at Banner Churchill Community Hospital.

The couple are well known in Fallon for their generosity and community support. Over the years they have sponsored foreign exchange students and worked as Court Appointed Special Advocates for the local foster care system. They are both active in the Catholic church and Fallon Youth Club. They have two adult children, Bryan and Heidi.

Saturday brings something for everyone with events happening all day long throughout the city. Santa’s Wonderland runs from 10 a.m. to noon in the City Hall courtyard. Participants can decorate cookies, go on a horse drawn carriage ride, skate at the Fallon On Ice rink, make ornaments, mail a letter to the North Pole and take a photo with Santa.

• At 10 a.m. the Ugly Sweater 5K Fun Run/Walk starts at City Hall. The untimed event features a festive course and an ugly sweater contest. For information, go to churchillcountyrecreation.org.

• The Churchill County Museum will host its annual holiday open house on Saturday from noon to 3 p.m. The afternoon of free crafts, light refreshments and fun includes a concert from handbell ensemble Tintabulations at 1 p.m. For information call 775-423-3677.

• Later in the day several local homes will open their doors for the Grad Nite 2026 Christmas Home Tour fundraiser from 3 to 7 p.m. Tickets are $20 each and available at Jeff’s Digitex Printing and Just Country Friends. For information call Rayanne at 775-217-4656.

A week before the annual Christmas tree lighting on Maine Street, shoppers took advantage of sales on Black Friday and Shop Small Saturday

• “A Classic Churchill Christmas Concert” begins Saturday at 6 p.m. at the Barkley Theatre inside the Oats Park Art Center with all seats $5. The evening will feature classics as performed by Fallon’s finest voices and musicians.

• A confirmed date for the annual High Desert Grange Convoy of Lights parade was not available at press time. Pre-registration is available by dropping off a new, unwrapped toy with Toys for Tots at 40 W. Center St.

• The seventh annual Santa Cruise is set for Dec. 12 starting at 5 p.m. The Fallon/Churchill Volunteer Fire Department will drive Santa through the city and county streets on a mission to wave to as many local children as possible.

• The Fallon City Ballet and The Studio for the Performing Arts present their 34th annual production of “The Nutcracker” in the Churchill County High School auditorium Dec. 19 and 20 at 7 p.m. Admission is $12 for adults, $8 for seniors and children 4-14 years old. Children under 3 years old are free.

Tickets are available at The Studio, Jeff’s Digitex Printing or from any Fallon City Ballet member. For information email jeklhorne@gmail.com.