hailey hoffman/The astorian
Santa Claus is greeted with hugs from
two girls after arriving with the help
of the Astoria Fire Department on a
decorated fire engine in the annual
downtown Christmas lighting in 2019.
Continued from Page 8
The organization is bring-
ing the tour back this year,
with a new component. Busi-
nesses will participate in a win-
dow-decorating contest that
features a “Reindeer Trail”
scavenger hunt for kids. They
have each received a small rein-
deer to incorporate into their
window display.
“We want it to be discreet
and hidden,” McClintock said.
For the scavenger hunt, chil-
dren will be given a guide that
shares the name of each rein-
deer and two photos reveal-
ing what the reindeer would
see while looking out the win-
dow at their respective business.
Those serve as the hints for the
children to find the reindeer,
McClintock said.
The guides are available
online or to pick up at Gro-
cery Outlet, where the reindeer
Rudolph will take up residence
as head of the Reindeer Trail.
Once filled out, the guides can
be returned to Grocery Outlet
for a prize.
Meanwhile, residential par-
ticipants will be added to the
Tour of Lights. Families can
find a map of where participat-
ing houses are located, take a
self-guided tour to check out the
decorations and light displays,
and vote on their favorite. Win-
ners will receive cash prizes.
Another fun holiday tradi-
tion is the chamber’s Letters to
Santa program, which is open to
children from across the county,
McClintock said. Letters should
be submitted before Dec. 15.
Mailboxes are set up at the cham-
ber of commerce, Seaside Public
Library and Sunset Empire Park
and Recreation District.
Also back this year is the
artisan fair at the Seaside Civic
and Convention Center. The
event takes place from 11 a.m.
to 5 p.m. Friday and from
10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday.
More than 80 vendors will be
selling a variety of handcrafted
items, including art, woodwork-
ing, photography, and goodies
like fudge, truffles and toffee.
Families also can pose for pho-
tos with Santa during the fair.
Photos by Lance Wagner
ABOVE: Santa Claus waves to the crowd during the Seaside Parade
of Lights. BELOW: Santa Claus hands out candy canes at a previous
Yuletide in Seaside celebration.
Astoria hosts
tree lighting
ceremony and
holiday events
ASTORIA — After a year’s hia-
tus, the tree lighting ceremony will
return to Astoria on Saturday night.
The Astoria Downtown Historic
District Association will host the cer-
emony outside of the Liberty The-
atre at 12th and Commercial streets.
The event will start at 4:30 p.m.
Carolers, holiday tunes, Santa
Claus and Mayor Bruce Jones will
be part of the event.
Astoria’s Shop Plaid event will
begin Friday. Shoppers will receive
a punch card to use at participating
local downtown businesses. Three
punches earn customers a Shop
Plaid tote bag, and five punches will
enter participants in a raffle.
Many more events are planned
for the month of December in Asto-
ria. Visit astoriadowntown.com to
learn more.
Thursday, November 25, 2021 // 9