The spirit of the holidays will officially kick off in the village of Coon Valley on Friday, Nov. 28, when the Coon Valley Lions Club holds its 3rd annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony at 6 p.m., complete with hot chocolate to warm up the vocal cords for an festive serenade of holiday caroling before, during and after the ceremony.

The Lions Club set up its large center holiday tree on November 19, with a special request that each organizational tree be placed and decorated by Tuesday, Nov. 25, allowing the Lions Club ample time to make sure all tree lights are operational for the "Grand Lighting" on Friday, Nov. 28.

This year 22 area organizations have been invited to decorate a tree on the special holiday corner including: the American Legion Auxillary, the American Legion Post 116, the Chaseburg Cancer Society, the Chaseburg Chassets, the Chaseburg/Coon Valley Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, the Coon Creek Fire Department, the Coon Creek VFW, the Coon Valley Area Baseball Association, the Coon Valley Area Youth Foundation, the Coon Valley Conservation Club, Coon Valley Elementary School students, the Coon Valley Garden Club, the Coon Valley Library Club, the Coon Valley Lions Club, Coon Valley Lutheran Church, Coulee Track & Trail, the Friends of Chaseburg, the Nerison 4H Club, the Red Hat Society, Saint Mary's Catholic Church, the Senior Citizen Meal Site, Sons of The American Legion Squad 116 and the local Special Olympics.

Last year bitter cold temperatures reduced the number of community members able to attend the tree lighting, but a special request was immediately sent out to Jack Frost to remedy that situation in 2008.

This year's Master of Ceremonies is Coon Valley resident, Brian Rude, who will also be leading the caroling extravaganza before all the little elves are invited to visit with Santa Claus, who will be making a special appearance at the tree lighting, plus periodic return visits to the community to pick up letters postmarked to the North Pole and left in the mailbox located on the decorative corner throughout the season.

Once again the Lions Club is hoping everyone attending the ceremony finds it in their hearts to bring a nonperishable food item or a monetary donation to be donated to the Vernon County Food Pantry, located in Westby. The holidays are traditionally one of the busiest times of the year at the food pantry and Bethel Butikk as families struggle with higher utility bills during the winter months. For every $1 donated to the food pantry, $10 worth of food can be purchased for families in need. The food pantry is always in need of canned goods including soups, fruit and vegetables as well as cereal and pasta products.

Linda and Bryce Pederson, the owners of the Stockyard Grill and Saloon, will be providing hot chocolate for the event and treats will be provided to all children.

The tree lighting ceremony provides a social gathering for community members and a chance for area organizations to spread holiday cheer. With ornamental displays from miniature baseballs to pink breast cancer awareness ribbons, the holiday trees illuminate the corner throughout the season and into the New Year.

Plan to attend the Coon Valley Lions Club "Grand Lighting" at 6 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 28.