Spokane, WA, December 2, 2024 – The historic town of Wallace, Idaho will celebrate a weekend full of seasonal festivities during the Home for the Holidays event on December 6-8, hosted by the Wallace Chamber of Commerce. Downtown Wallace will transform into a winter wonderland, bringing neighbors and families together to celebrate shared traditions and the holiday spirit. 

This year, in recognition of Innovia Foundation’s 50th Anniversary theme of “Celebrating Community,” Innovia is investing in free and low-cost events and opportunities that bring people together. In honor of this commitment, Innovia is proud to sponsor free horse-drawn carriage rides on Saturday, December 7, from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. during the celebration in Wallace. 

An annually cherished event, this year’s Home for the Holidays theme is “Old Fashioned Christmas,” celebrating local history and seasonal nostalgia. The three-day event will feature a Christmas tree lighting, a visit from Santa Claus, the yearly Snowflake Pageant, carriage rides, a Christmas parade, a vintage holiday decor display, a reindeer run and countless opportunities to shop local vendors. 

“The Home for the Holidays events have been an integral part of our community for many years,” says Valerie Finlay, Chairperson of Home for the Holidays at the Wallace Chamber. “The celebration gets bigger and bigger each year, and we are so grateful to Innovia for celebrating their 50th Anniversary with us. Our ‘Old Fashioned Christmas’ theme will be more magical than ever with horse-drawn carriage rides and the nostalgia of Wallace having the Pacific Northwest’s largest display of vintage plastic blow mold decorations!” 

As the community foundation for Eastern Washington and North Idaho, Innovia actively seeks opportunities to enrich our region by promoting vibrant and accessible experiences within local communities. Seasonal festivals play a vital role in strengthening social bonds, fostering a sense of belonging, and bolstering the local economy through attracting visitors and supporting small businesses.  

“We are honored to support the Home for the Holidays event in Wallace,” says Shelly O’Quinn, CEO, Innovia Foundation. “Through the sponsorship of the carriage rides, we are investing in experiences that create long-lasting memories for people of all ages. We’re pleased to contribute to this beloved tradition and look forward to seeing families come together for a festive weekend of holiday joy and celebration.” 

For the entire schedule of the Home for the Holidays festivities, visit innovia.org/communityevent/home-for-the-holidays. 

Innovia’s investment in Wallace’s Home for the Holidays is part of a series of events and activities Innovia is gifting to communities across Eastern Washington and North Idaho in celebration of the Foundation’s 50th Anniversary in 2024. More information about these events can be found at innovia.org/fifty. 

Celebrating Community in 2024  

Together with media partner NonStop Local KHQ, Innovia is Celebrating Community, a year-long, region-wide celebration of the volunteers, citizens and organizations that have faithfully served the needs of communities for 50 years in Eastern Washington and North Idaho. Each month, Innovia will gift the region with free, inclusive, family-friendly activities and experiences to commemorate the Foundation’s past, present and future of bringing people together to transform lives and communities. Event details will be released at the beginning of each month throughout 2024.  

50th Anniversary Calendar of Events  

In addition to Innovia-sponsored community events, the Foundation has launched an online calendar where individuals and organizations can submit information about celebrations and activities in their community. The calendar is open to any events within the Foundation’s region that are free or low-cost, family-friendly and have a broad community appeal. Calendar entries can be submitted at innovia.org/fifty.   

Photo Drawing  

Community members who attend Innovia-sponsored community events this year are invited to submit their photos from the event for a chance to win a photo drawing. Winners will be selected in March, June, September and December to receive a $250 grant to a nonprofit of their choice. Entries can be submitted by posting photos on Instagram with the hashtag #innoviacelebratescommunity or by submitting through an online form. Full drawing details and rules, including the online submission form, can be found at innovia.org/fifty.  

About Innovia Foundation  

As the community foundation for Eastern Washington and North Idaho, we partner with people who want to improve their communities and make the world better. We work together to identify and respond to our region’s greatest opportunities, help those in need, and leave a lasting impact. Our mission is to ignite generosity that transforms lives and communities. We envision vibrant and sustainable communities where every person has the opportunity to thrive. Each year, Innovia Foundation invests $10 million into our communities through grants and scholarships. 

Innovia Foundation is proud to partner with NonStop Local KHQ for community coverage of these family-friendly free events.