Celebrate Great Falls Foundation is the umbrella organization behind a number of long standing Great Falls traditions. Community events like the Summer Concerts on the Green held every Sunday evening during the summer from 6-8 p.m. on the Great Falls Village Centre Green (behind the Old Brogue) or the upcoming Halloween Spooktactular held on Oct. 31 from 5-7 p.m. in the Village as a way to provide our youngest residents with an opportunity to trick-or-treat and visit a “not too scary” Haunted House (run by Boy Scout Troop 55).

We have a small army of volunteers who deliver those iconic Blue Welcome Bags to all of our new neighbors along with a personal welcome and invitation to an upcoming New Neighbor Social.

As winter approaches, we look forward to the lighting of our community Christmas Tree at the Celebration of Lights. Local school choral groups serenade us, local businesses provide hot cocoa and cookies and children enjoy pony rides and a petting zoo as we eagerly await the arrival of Santa and Mrs. Claus on the antique fire truck to light the tree! Local businesses compete each year in our annual Holiday Decorating Contest to see who can light up the night better than anyone.

In February, we enjoy an annual Winter Wine Tasting that will be held at the Great Falls Grange for the first time this year. We are always looking for new traditions to keep our community vibrant and were thrilled to spearhead the return of the Great Falls Fireworks in 2015 as part of our Fourth of July festivities that have included parades and celebrations throughout the day for decades!

The key to making Great Falls your home is to get involved. We promise that if you do, you will get to know your extended neighborhood quickly and likely make some lifelong friends along the way. Our community spirit makes us unique and all of this is 100 percent volunteer driven!

Many residents are surprised to hear that we do not receive any state or county funding. All of our events are privately funded by our generous sponsors and organized by our volunteers — neighbors like you who may have lived here for 30+ years or just moved in not long ago. Come be a part of it!

For more information about our events and ways to volunteer contact Erin Lobato at erinlobato@celebrategreatfalls.org or visit our website www.celebrategreatfalls.org.