The old man in the sleigh and his eight reindeer are weeks out from approaching Grays Harbor County, but that doesn’t mean people here have to wait until then to start celebrating the holiday season.
The celebrations start this weekend. While one is Winterfest in Aberdeen, there are so many other events to put on the calendar. Here are many of the events throughout the county to consider as the young ones get antsy. The events this weekend are listed by city.
Aberdeen
Saturday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. — Arc of Grays Harbor Christmas Bazaar — 523 W. First St., Suite 1.
“Shop for a cause,” the Arc of Grays Harbor states. “Shop for gifts for the whole family and support the Arc of Grays Harbor at our second annual holiday bazaar.”
Admission is free. Refreshments will also be available by donation. The proceeds will benefit the Arc of Grays Harbor, which “advocates for and supports a better quality of life for people with developmental disabilities.”
For anyone with questions, call Connie King at 360-340-6772.
Sunday at noon — Santa at Messy Jessy’s — 212 S. I St., in Aberdeen.
“We will have Santa in our banquet room for free for all the families to bring their little ones to say hi and take a picture,” Messy Jessy’s Facebook states. “We will have Pauley Photo Studio in to take your photo.
Elma
Saturday from 4 to 6 p.m. — Christmas Tree Lighting Festival — 222 W. Main St.
“The fun starts at 4 p.m.,” the Elma Chamber of Commerce Facebook page states. “There will be a lot of great things happening during the day as well. From flash sales at Ghost (Town) Tattoo to the gaming trailer with (Elma) Timberland Library.” According to the chamber, Santa Claus will also be there, too.
Sunday at 1 p.m. — Yule Log Celebration — 1365 W. Schafer Park Road
At 1 p.m., there will be a “yule log hunt for youth,” the event flyer states. And then at 1:15, the gingerbread and holiday baking contest starts. The event is open to all ages and all skill levels.
“Bring treats to share, sing carols, ring the bells and enjoy hot spiced tea with family and friends,” the flyer states.
Hoquiam
5 p.m. — Ho Ho Hoquiam — 313 7th St.
Meet at 7th Street Theatre for a cocoa stroll and tree voting that goes from 5 p.m. until 6:30 p.m. on Saturday. Then at 6 p.m., Hoquiam High School Band and choir play. According to the theatre, Santa will arrive at 5:30 p.m. on a Hoquiam fire truck.
“Santa will arrive at 5:30 p.m., ready for pictures and to hear Christmas wishes,” 7th Street Theatre’s flyer states. “There will also be Elf-themed raffles. Come dressed in your finest Elf gear.”
7 p.m. (Movie starts at 7:30 p.m.) — Elf — 7th Street Theatre
“Come early for cocoa, listen to the (Hoquiam High School) band and choir and stay to enjoy Elf,” 7th Street Theatre states. Tickets are $6 and it’s an all-ages event. Tickets can be found online through the theater’s Facebook page.
McCleary
Saturday from 8 to 10 a.m. — Santa Breakfast and Tree Auction — 158 Summit Rd.
“The McCleary Bear Festival is hosting Christmas in McCleary on Dec. 2,” GGHI states. “They’ll be doing breakfast and the annual tree auction along with pictures with Santa in the morning.”
According to the event flyer, you can also bid on a tree, and join the McCleary VFW.
Ocean Shores
Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. — The Procrastinators Holiday Art and Craft Show —199 Ocean Lake Way
Pacific Beach
Saturday at 3 p.m. — “A Brand-New Christmas” — Pacific Beach Community Church
“The North Beach Singers present “A Brand-New Christmas,”” according to a North Beach Singers’ flyer. The show will benefit local food banks. Cash and non-perishable donations will be accepted.
Westport
Saturday from 10:30 a.m. to noon — Santa By the Sea — Westport Marina’s Float 6
“Come and welcome Santa to Westport,” the Westport-Grayland Chamber of Commerce website states. “The U.S. Coast Guard will deliver him to Float 6 at 10:30 a.m.”
Santa will be at the Destruction Island Lens Hall on the grounds of the Westport Maritime Museum, according to the chamber.
“Santa will greet the kids and be available for photo opportunities from 10:30 a.m. until noon,” the chamber states.
Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. — Holiday Bazaar — 211 Pacific Ave. E.
“Enjoy your favorite holiday drink from our bar and partake in a bowl of the peninsula-famous white bean chili,” the VFW’s flyer states. “Relax while you shop, look around and you may just see the man in red.” For more information and to reserve a table, call Sally at 208-739-1838.
Saturday from noon to 3 p.m. — Card making at Westport Timberland Library — 101 E. Harms Dr.
“Come make holiday cards the old fashioned way: with (an approximate) 100-year-old Willits Canoe Company printing press,” states Greater Grays Harbor, Inc. (GGHI.) “No electricity required. We will also provide supplies and instruction for library patrons to make their own rubber stamps.” The event is free, according to GGHI. For more information, email westport@trl.org to reach the library.
There will be another holiday calendar next week to cover those weekend events.
Contact Reporter Matthew N. Wells at matthew.wells@thedailyworld.com.
Dan Hammock / The Daily World file photo The Montesano Festival of Lights grand parade rolls through town at a past event.
Santa arrives at Westport’s Santa by the Sea celebration during a past celebration via Coast Guard vessel at Float 6 in the Westport Marina before making his way to the museums lens hall to meet with the kids.
Come watch the move “Elf” at the 7th Street Theatre.
