Jefferson County Lake has always been the place Rigby goes from Memorial Day to Labor Day. This year Jefferson County Parks and Recreation is keeping it busy through the holidays. A free 5K on Thanksgiving morning starts the stretch. After that comes a brand-new December light display, and the county isn't building that display itself. Local businesses, churches, school clubs and families are decorating the lake's campsites one at a time.
As the Post Register put it, Jefferson County recreation "has been confined to the summer months" until now, and the department is working toward "a year's worth of fun for the whole family." That plan includes year-round sports programming, a Thanksgiving fun run, and a community Christmas celebration that's new this year. Each piece leans on someone in town to make it work.
Thanksgiving Morning Comes First
The off-season starts on Thursday, Nov. 26, at 9 a.m. with the Rigby Lake Turkey Trot. It's a free, untimed community 5K. There are no official results, so walkers, strollers and anyone running off a big breakfast fit in fine.
The entry fee is one can of food, which goes to The Giving Cupboard, Rigby's choice food pantry. Cash donations for the pantry are also accepted on site.
Here are the details from the Turkey Trot registration page:
- Where: Rigby Lake, 490 N 4000 E. Meet at the West Parking Lot.
- Course: Starts at the West Pavilion and finishes in the Southeast Parking Lot.
- Dogs: Welcome, but they have to stay leashed the whole time.
- Registration: Free, and organizers ask everyone to sign up so they can plan for the crowd. Online registration closes at 8:59 a.m. on race morning.
- Sponsors: Mountain Wave Swimming and Jefferson County Lake, benefiting The Giving Cupboard.
The organizers' own advice is "Bundle up, it will be chilly!" At 9 a.m. on the last Thursday in November, that sounds right.
Fifty Campsites, Fifty Different Hands
The Turkey Trot uses the lake as it is. Christmas at the Lake changes it. The county is opening 50 RV and camping spots to local groups, and each group decorates its own spot. Administrator Martin Jones told the Jefferson County Board of Commissioners at their Oct. 13 meeting that 20 of the 50 spots were already reserved.
The county's recreation catalog calls it a "brand-new Christmas Light Tour" built from campsites "each decorated by different local groups, businesses, church, or school clubs," and says each one will have its own theme.
So the display reflects whoever signs up. A campsite decorated by a high school club will look nothing like one done by a church or a family business. Whatever the 50 spots look like in the first week of December, Rigby built it.
Jones gave commissioners an early preview, according to the Post Register:
"We have some creative booths coming out."
Two Ways the Lake Opens in December
The two county descriptions read a little differently. Together they point to two kinds of visit.
The drive-through. The county catalog says that "throughout the month of December" the lake will be open to the public "at a small charge to drive through and enjoy the festive displays." The listing shows $0 next to the event, and no tour price has been posted. The lake's facility page lists a regular day pass of $6 per vehicle, $5 for walk-ins or bike-ins, and annual passes at $35 and $55. The county hasn't said how either of those relates to the light tour. If the cost matters for your plans, Jefferson County Parks and Recreation can tell you before you load up the car.
The Saturdays. Every Saturday in December before Christmas, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., the lake hosts the full event, as described by the Post Register. That means the decorated sites, vendors, caroling groups, and photos with Mr. and Mrs. Claus. Registered vendors so far are selling crafts, baked goods and hot drinks. Santa has committed to at least two of the days, and the county hasn't named which ones yet. If a Santa photo is the main goal, watch for the county's announcement before you pick a Saturday.
The part you'll see without trying. Jones told commissioners the lake's center island will be decorated and lit every night, so drivers on Highway 20 can enjoy it as they pass. The lights stay up all of December, through New Year's Eve. If you commute to Idaho Falls, you'll probably see the island before you ever visit.
There's Still Room to Be Part of It
As of the commissioners' Oct. 13 meeting, 30 of the 50 spots were still open, and the department was still looking for help. Here's who to call:
- Vendors selling festive food, handmade gifts, holiday art or baked goods can contact Martin Jones at [email protected] or 208-243-1197.
- Carolers and music groups from the community, schools or churches can contact Andrea Boudrero at [email protected] or 208-915-6746.
- Groups that want a campsite to decorate, including businesses, school clubs, churches and families, can start with the Parks and Recreation office. Jones's contact above is the most direct route the county has published. The county hasn't announced a fee or a deadline for spots.
A Fitness Circuit for the Walking Path
The lake's year-round plans reach past the holidays. Anytime Fitness has donated $5,000 worth of fitness circuit equipment for the walking path at the lake. It will be free to use once it's installed, and a plaque near the equipment will recognize the donation. No installation date has been set.
The gym and the lake have worked together for several years on Anytime Fitness's annual running event. Jones said that when he asked for the equipment, the gym didn't hesitate. He described it to commissioners this way: "This was a small investment for them, but a big win for us and for them."
The Turkey Trot, the light tour and the walking path all follow the same pattern. A swim club sponsors the run, a gym pays for the equipment, and local groups light the campsites.
Same Weeks, Elsewhere in Rigby
The lake isn't the only place collecting Rigby's time and donations in November. A few other dates to know:
- Wednesday, Nov. 4, 6 p.m.: The Rigby City Library's Community Reader's Group meets to discuss Home Mountains by Susan Swetnam. You don't need a library card, and the group takes December off. Details are on the City of Rigby event page.
- Nov. 9–21: The Hall Foundation's Wall of Warmth coat wall goes up at South Park, across from the Veterans Memorial by the rodeo grounds. The wider coat drive runs through Nov. 19, with drop-offs at Tadd Jenkins Chevrolet, both Good 2 Go stores, Broulims, the courthouse and Ace Hardware, according to the Jefferson Star.
- Saturday, Nov. 14, 6 p.m.: VFW Post 1004 and the American Legion host the Veterans Banquet at Rigby Middle School. Tickets are at Cafe et Amour, and veterans receive two complimentary tickets, the Jefferson Star reports.
After that comes Thanksgiving at the West Pavilion, and then 50 campsites lit up by people from around town.
If your business, club or congregation is decorating a campsite this December, I'd love to come see it and share it. And if you're ever curious how Rigby's year-round lake fits into the bigger picture of life up here, I'm always happy to talk. Adam Walz is just a call away. Schedule your free consultation.
