Ho Ho Hoquiam draws hundreds

Hundreds of revelers took to downtown Hoquiam Saturday evening for the annual Ho Ho Hoquiam celebration, voting for their favorite Christmas trees on display in local businesses, enjoying free cocoa and a screening of National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation at the 7th Street Theatre.

In fact, that screening drew the largest movie crowd of the year. According to the theater’s social media site, the 990-seat venue held 465 for the 7:30 p.m. showing.

The event was sponsored by the Hoquiam Business Association, and association member Kyle Pauley was on hand to ladle out free hot chocolate for the Cocoa Stroll through downtown businesses. Each participant was given a map of businesses competing in the Festival of Trees and a ballot to vote on their favorites in six categories. This year’s winners were:

• The Jitter House, tree with most Christmas spirit

• Swanson’s, tree with a theme most relevant to the business

• Village Concepts Retirement Communities, most beautiful tree

• Sadistik Sykles, funniest tree

• Renegade Red Studio and Gallery, most creative tree

• 7th Street Theatre, tree with the most hometown Hoquiam theme

The first 100 participants to turn in their ballots to the theater were given a commemorative 2018 Ho Ho Hoquiam ornament.

In Aberdeen, Winterfest had its annual arrival ceremony for Santa, who emerged from a firetruck at Zelasko Park. More than 50 people came out to the event, despite the rain and cold temperatures. In addition, two reindeer were stationed in the Tesla charging for petting, and a number of elementary and high school groups sang Christmas songs at the park before Santa got there.

DAN HAMMOCK | GRAYS HARBOR NEWS GROUP Ho Ho Hoquiam wrapped up with a showing of the Christmas classic National Lampoons Christmas Vacation at the 7th Street Theatre Saturday evening. Theater manager Jamie Brand, left, and volunteer Terri Youmans fold programs featuring movie trivia ahead of the screening.

DAN HAMMOCK | GRAYS HARBOR NEWS GROUP A holiday ensemble made up of students from Hoquiam high and middle schools performs Christmas music under the marquee of the 7th Street Theatre Saturday evening as part of the annual Ho Ho Hoquiam celebration.

DAN HAMMOCK | GRAYS HARBOR NEWS GROUP Steven Beardslee and Michelle Teller flank Grays Harbor Santa inside the 7th Street Theatre Saturday. On Santa’s lap are Aurora Beardslee, left, and Tandra Teller. Dozens of kids told Santa what they wanted for Christmas from 5-6 p.m. at the Ho Ho Hoquiam celebration.

DAN HAMMOCK | GRAYS HARBOR NEWS GROUP Complete with Santa hat, Hoquiam Business Association’s Kyle Pauley serves up cocoa for the Cocoa Stroll and maps and ballots for the Festival of Trees at the 7th Street Theatres business office Saturday evening. Folks who voted for their favorite trees in local businesses got a free commemorative 2018 Ho Ho Hoquiam ornament when they turned in their ballots.

DAN HAMMOCK | GRAYS HARBOR NEWS GROUP Crowds were forming early outside the 7th Street Theatre Saturday for the annual Ho Ho Hoquiam celebration, sponsored by the Hoquiam Business Association.