NOVEMBER 20, 2015, KEIZERTIMES, PAGE A11
Running events coming up
Keizer residents will have no
excuse to pack on pounds this
holiday season. Local organiz-
ers are coordinating no fewer
than three long distance runs
in November and December.
The Keizer Chamber of
Commerce is holding its third
annual Turkey Dash.
The 5K run/walk is slat-
ed for 8 a.m. on Thanksgiv-
ing, Nov. 26. Participants will
start and finish at the Lowe’s
in Keizer Station, 6225 Ulali
Drive, and run through the
Gubser neighborhood.
Pre-registration at the Keiz-
er Chamber office is $30 for
adults, $15 for those 18 and
younger. Day-of-race registra-
tion is $35 for adults and $20
for youth.
The event is stroller friendly,
but pets are prohibited. Pre-
registration guarantees a T-
shirt.
On Saturday, Dec. 12, the
Glow Run will kick off the
Festival of Lights Holiday Pa-
rade. Cost is $25 for adults and
$5 for kids 12 and under. Day-
of-race registration is $35.
Register online at www.fol-
holidayparade.org or in-person
the day of the event near the
start and finish line – Colum-
bia Bank on River Road – the
day of the race.
All participants will receive
a Santa hat and clip-on light.
On Dec. 19, the Keizer
Chamber is sponsoring a 5K
Jingle Dash along the cart
routes of McNary Golf Club.
The race begins at Court-
house Fitness Center, 117 Mc-
Nary Estates Drive.
The event begins at 3:30
p.m. Cost for adults is $25 for
preregistration or $30 the day
of. Youth fees (5 to 12 years
old) are $12 in advance or $15
the day of the race. Kiddos 4
and under are free.
Registration can be com-
pleted through the Chamber
website, keizerchamber.com.
Tree lighting Dec. 1
This year, get into the
Christmas spirit in Keizer
right from the start of De-
cember.
Starting at 6 p.m. on Tues-
day, Dec. 1, two lucky children
will be chosen to assist Santa
Claus as he flips the switch
that lights up Keizer’s Christ-
mas tree.
The annual lighting cer-
emony is at Walery Plaza,
named for Keizer resident
Dave Walery, affectionately
known as Mr. Christmas due
to his volunteer work over
many years maintaining and
installing the decorations that
line River Road during the
holidays as well as his work
with the permanent tree.
Walery Plaza is located
where River Road and Cher-
ry Avenue meet. If you’re
driving along River Road on
Dec. 1 and can’t find it, just
look for the tall tree with the
nearby large crowd.
The lighting is sponsored
by Walery’s Premium Pizza
and presented by the Keizer
Chamber of Commerce. Live
music by the Keizer Commu-
nity Band will fill the festive
air at the event.
Children are selected for
the honor by a drawing. There
is a sign-up table at the event;
children simply need to put
their name and age on the
form. A Keizer leader will
draw out the two lucky names.
The actual flipping of the
switch on the tree lights is
expected to happen around
7 p.m. Before that, Santa is
scheduled to arrive in Keizer
around 6:45 and hitch a ride
to Walery Plaza in a fire truck
courtesy of his friends at the
Keizer Fire District.