'Tis the season ....

Gather up the family and head downtown for the annual Parade of Lights Thursday, December 3 at 6 p.m. Don't forget to dress warmly!

The Sterling Police Department will be closing off streets near Main Street, so be sure to come early to pick your spot. The procession of colorful floats will be lined up and ready to display their creations at 6 p.m.

And, of course, the jolly ol' elf himself will make an appearance!

After the parade, be sure to meet at the corner of West Main Street and Division Avenue to enjoy this year's first bonfire with s'mores, courtesy of Walmart and Bank of the West employees. In addition, tours of the historical Logan County Courthouse will be offered beginning at 7 p.m.

Enjoy strolling Main Street to see all the local merchants' Christmas window displays, and to watch for holiday specials. Clarence's Corner will be open and hay rides will be offered. Santa will also be roaming the stores, and children's activities such as crafts and cookie decorating will be going on to allow adults to enjoy their shopping.

For the duration of the month of December, downtown merchants will continue to be open until 7 p.m. on Thursdays with hay rides and more children's activities available. (With exception, these merchants will not be open until 7 p.m. on Christmas Eve.) Some downtown merchants are also extending their weekend hours to includes Sundays throughout the month. Contact the Logan County Chamber of Commerce at 970-522-5070 for further information.

The weather outside might be frightful, but the lights will be so delightful!

Bundle up and be downtown for the much anticipated Light the Lights celebration at the Logan County Courthouse in beautiful downtown Sterling, Friday, November 27. The commissioners will turn on the lights at 6 p.m. Come early and enjoy the many activities before and after the flip of the switch!

• Boy Scout Troop #99 will be selling popcorn and candy at Clarence's Corner.

• Cookies and cocoa with Santa will take place on the Gazebo, 3-6 p.m. Pictures will be available.

• Meet Reggie the Reindeer from 4-6 p.m. on the Courthouse Square.

• Horse and Carriage rides (sponsored by Ag Teck Services and Premier Farm Credit) from 5-7 p.m. Donations will benefit Cooperating Ministries of Logan County.

• Watch for the holiday-costumed committee members meandering around the square!

• Join in with the Christmas caroling led by the First Presbyterian and Christ United Methodist church groups.

• Visit the many downtown businesses and enjoy the holiday window displays and holiday specials.

Make your plans for the season and "Come Home For The Holidays" to see Sterling sparkle!

You know how it's going to be - dinner with the family, deserts at every turn, pumpkin lattes, more dinners with family, platters of goodies at work, pumpkin lattes, another piece of pumpkin pie, extra whip, and a handful of iced sugar cookies.

Oh my!

Go ahead and enjoy the season's goodies but don't forget to take care of all those extra calories.

Get started with the 12 Annual High Plains Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving morning, Thursday, November 26. Before you stuff your turkey, you can strut your stuff in the 5K run/walk/stroll or take part in the 1 mile leisure loop. This year's event will benefit Cooperating Ministries of Logan County and Sterling Regional MedCenter You can preregister at www.active.com. Or register before the race at 7:30 a.m. The race starts at 8:30 a.m., at Peace Lutheran Church, 1404 S. 9th Ave., Sterling.

Run, turkey, run!!

The 12th annual High Plains Turkey Trot is a great way to get outside with family and move before you feast!

Fun for all fitness levels and ages --- 1 mile or 5K --- Run/Walk/Stroll

Event details and schedule

THANKSGIVING MORNING Thursday November 26th 2015-Race Begins at 8:30 am

Preferred packet pick-up Wednesday Nov. 25th 4:30-6 pm at SRM Community Conference Room.

Race Day packet pick-up 7:30-8:00 am at Peace Lutheran Church, 1404 S. 9th Ave.,Sterling, CO

The City of Sterling offers a number of events for the public throughout the month of November.

And guess what? They're free! (Unless otherwise posted.)

Get out and take advantage of these incredible programs and activities.

It's a great way to "Explore Sterling!"

Happening Soon!

Please call 970-522-3895 to reserve your spot.

Logan County is truly a sportsman’s paradise, touting world class fishing as well as both small and big game hunting. Dove, quail, ring-necked pheasant, rabbit, raccoon, bobcat, coyote, deer and pronghorn are the most popular game.

The land is vast, and this is prime hunting ground. The North Sterling Reservoir State Park is home to some of the best goose hunting, boasting premier flights of Canada and snow geese. The Proctor area is a popular site for quail, pheasant and waterfowl hunting. Sterling was recently named one of the “25 Best Pheasant Hunting Towns in America” by Pheasants Forever.

A common pheasant in it's natural habitat

Logan County has more than 16,000 acres of public hunting land, plus about 17,000 acres in the Walk-In Access program which allows licensed hunters to use certain private land for hunting of small game, waterfowl or furbearers.

There are several land-use areas in Logan County for small game hunting. (For a complete list of land regulations for these properties see the 2015 State Recreational Lands brochure.)

Atwood State Trust Land - From Atwood, go 0.5 mile S on Hwy 63. Access near SE corner of STL next to CR 16.

Atwood State Wildlife Area - From Atwood, go 3 miles SW on Hwy 6 to CR 29.5, then go 0.5 mile S.

Bravo State Trust Land - From Sterling, take Hwy 6 E about 2 miles to CR 37. Go N on CR 37 for 5.7 miles.

Bravo State Wildlife Area - From I-76 at Sterling exit, go 0.5 mile W on Hwy 6 to CR 370, then go 1.7 miles NE.

Duck Creek State Trust Land - From I-76, take Crook exit, go N on Hwy 55 to town of Crook. At stop sign, continue N to CR 64. Go E on CR 64 about 1 mile to NW corner of STL. Cattle may be on STL. Extreme caution must be taken when hunting while cattle are present.

Duck Creek State Wildlife Area - From Crook, go 1.5 miles N on Hwy 55.

Dune Ridge State Wildlife Area - From I-76 at Sterling exit, go 0.5 mile west on Hwy 6 to CR 370, then go 5 miles SW.

Ford Bridge State Trust Land - From Sterling go 7.5 miles NE on Hwy 138 to CR 40, then go E 0.5 mile.

Knudson State Wildlife Area - From I-76 at Sterling exit, go 0.5 mile W to CR 370, then go 1 mile SW.

Messex State Wildlife Area - From I-76 at Merino exit, go 2 miles N to Hwy 6, then 1.75 miles NE to CR R, then 1.5 miles N, then 0.5 mile W.

North Sterling State Park - From the Sterling exit on I-76 (125), go W on Chestnut Street (Hwy 6). Follow Hwy 6 W for 2 miles over the bridge. Turn N on North 3rd Street, make a slight left onto Sidney Avenue and continue N for 1.5 miles. Turn left onto CR 34 and go W for 1 mile, turn right onto CR 39, follow the paved road N for 10 miles.

Overland Trail State Trust Land - From Atwood, go 0.5 mile S on Hwy 63 to CR 16, then go E 0.5 mile to Overland Trail SWA parking area. Access to STL is from SWA parking area and across SWA only.

Overland Trail State Wildlife Area - From Atwood, go 0.5 mile S on Hwy 63 to CR 16, then go E 0.5 mile.

Red Lion Ranch State Trust Land - From Crook, go NE on Hwy 138 for 8.25 miles to Sedgwick-Logan county line. Turn S on CR 97/1, go 1.25 miles to parking area off CR 97/1, just N of river bottom.

Red Lion State Wildlife Area - From I-76, take Red Lion exit (155), then go 3 miles N to Hwy 138, then i mile NE to CR 95, then go 0.25 mile N.

Tamarac Ranch State Wildlife Area - From I-76 at Crook exit (149), go 0.5 mile N on Hwy 55.

Pheasant season 1 (E of I-25): Nov. 14 - Jan. 31, 2016. For more information visit Colorado Parks & Wildlife.