Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current | View Entire Issue (Nov. 22, 2017)
Page 2 East Oregonian/Hermiston Herald HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS Wednesday, November 22, 2017 EO Media Group file photo Dontez White, 1, of Hermiston reaches out to touch Christmas lights during the Winter Festival in Hermiston. Hermiston brings the magic with trees, toys and lights By JADE MCDOWELL EO Media Group Tickets are selling out fast for one of Hermiston’s most highly anticipated holiday events, the Festival of Trees. The annual event, in its 24th year, kicks off with a 21-and-over dinner and auction at the Hermiston Conference Center on Dec. 2 at 6 p.m. followed by family day on Dec. 3 from noon to 4 p.m. Money raised by the festival — a collaboration between Hermiston Kiwanis Club, Good Shepherd Community Health Foundation and Soroptomists International of the Greater Hermiston Area — will go to support local causes including health and wellness grants, financial assistance for women returning to school and a renovation of Green- wood Park. “We get the community to support the festival and then turn around and give the money back,” said Cathy Wamsley of Kiwanis. Tickets for the dinner are $40 apiece, available at the Hermiston Conference Center, and family day is a suggested donation of $5 per family. The rest of the money is raised in a combination of silent auction and live auction of large Christmas trees, small artificial trees, wreaths and baskets. Liz Marvin of the health foundation said the trees and wreaths that are donated each year after being decorated by sponsoring businesses are “truly magical.” Each tree includes a pile of gifts “for a large family” underneath, and is decorated in a theme ranging from the Grinch to Hawaii to a vintage feel. “One year we had a Darth EO Media Group file photo Omar Campos, center, with Claudia Arellano and Bryan Bazquez stop for a photo in front of the giant Christ- mas tree at the “Hermiston North Pole” after the city’s tree-lighting ceremony. Vader tree that actually looked like Darth Vader,” Marvin said. For those who don’t get a ticket to the dinner and auction, Denice Derbyshire of Soroptomists said the trees will still be on display at the Hermiston Conference Center the next day for families to enjoy. The family day event will also include Christmas crafts, cookie decorating, live entertainment, pictures with Santa and other fami- ly-friendly activities. “There’s something for everything,” Derbyshire said. Other holiday activities in the Hermiston area include: The city of Hermiston is hosting a tree lighting cere- mony on Dec. 7 at 6 p.m. on Northeast Second Street between Main Street and Gladys Avenue. Activities will include food vendors, caroling by Hermiston High School choirs and a visit from Santa Claus. The event will coincide with the downtown district’s First Thursday event, which includes special deals and treats at downtown busi- nesses from 4:30-7 p.m. that night. Hermiston Parks and Recreation director Larry Fetter said the city is still looking for the perfect tree, which will be planted in the middle of Second Street for the Christmas season, and is still trying to work out some dates for live entertainment and light shows on other nights in December, weather permitting. “Every year we add something new to the mix,” he said. The city will also host its annual Pancakes With Santa event Saturday, Dec. 16 from 9:30-11 a.m. at the Hermiston Conference Center. Tickets are $8 per child, $10 per adult or $30 per family and must be purchased ahead of time from the parks and recreation department. The experience includes a digital photo with Santa and holiday storytime. Despite the passing of founder Laurie Ball Kiser and the demolition of its former home at the Hermiston Senior Center, the Community Fellowship Dinner on Christmas Day will go on. The free community meal has moved to the Hermiston High School commons, 600 South First St., with board chair Gary Humphreys helping lead the way. Food will be served by volunteers in the new space — which includes more seating than the old venue — from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. In Echo, the annual Toy Run will bring motorcy- clists to town in droves on Dec. 2 to bring donations of unwrapped toys from Echo to Good Shepherd Medical Center to be distributed to children in extra need of some cheer this year. The ride will start at noon from Echo’s Main Street, and non-motorcyclists are encouraged to drop off toys before noon for the ride. For more information contact Al Sells, 541-571-1820. 36 SW Court Ave. Downtown Pendleton • 541-276-3617 Family Day features holiday fun for the whole family. Community Fellowship Dinner Community Tree Light- ing Ceremony •Thursday, Nov. 23 & Mon- day, Dec. 25; 11 a.m.-2 p.m. •Hermiston High School main commons, 600 S. First St. www.facebook.com/com- munityfellowshipdinnerhermis- tonOR Free. Holiday meals with all the trimmings. Everyone is welcome. For delivery service, a ride or to volunteer, contact cfdhermiston@gmail.com or 541-371-9772. Light of the World Journey to Bethlehem •Friday, Dec. 1-Sunday, Dec. 3; 5-9 p.m. •Seventh-day Adventist Church, Free. Features the sights, smells and sounds of a bus- tling village during Biblical times — sharing the reason behind the season. Outdoor tours followed by refreshments indoors. Holiday Bazaar •Saturday, Dec. 2; 9 a.m.- 3 p.m. •The Arc, 215 W. Orchard Ave. Free admission. For ven- dor space, call 541-314-0166. Hermiston Festival of Trees •Saturday, Dec. 2; 6-9 p.m., gala event •Sunday, Dec. 3; noon-4 p.m., family day •Hermiston Conference Center, 415 S. Highway 395 www.facebook.com/Herm- istonFestivalofTrees $40/gala event, $5/sug- gested Family Day donation. The evening event includes dinner, live/silent auction for Christmas trees and other hol- iday decor and gift baskets. •Thursday, Dec. 7; 6-9 p.m. •Festival Street, Downtown Hermiston www.www.hermiston.or.us Free. Kick off the holiday season with music, Santa Claus, campfires and vendors with food, hot chocolate and holiday treats. Held in con- junction with the downtown district’s First Thursday event, special deals available from 4:30-7 p.m. •Saturday, Dec. 9; 7:30- 9:30 p.m. •Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 850 S.W. 11th St. www.facebook.com/herm- istoncommunitychristmascon- cert Free. Features the Hermis- ton Community Choir singing holiday favorites. Refresh- ments served. Hermiston Farmers Christmas Market •Friday, Dec. 15; 2-6 p.m.; Saturday, Dec. 16; 8 a.m.-4 p.m. •Hermiston Conference Center, 415 S. Highway 395 Free. Includes festivities, crafts, food. Pancakes with Santa •Saturday, Dec. 16; 9:30- 11:30 a.m. •Hermiston Conference Center, 415 S. Highway 395 www.www.hermiston.or.us $10/ages 16+, $8/ages 2-15, $30/family of 4. Tickets must be purchased by Dec. 13. In addition to a pancake breakfast, visit and take pic- tures with Santa and enjoy a holiday story shared by Herm- iston Public Library staff. Best Wishes for the Holidays and Bright New Year! 125 S. Main St., Pendleton, OR 97801 (541) 276-9292 • penbkco@eonet.net Merry Christmas Full Service Custom Frame Shop & Gallery Hermiston from Michael’s Fine Jewelry Special Savings Storewide through December 24th, 2017 NOVEMBER IS BLACK FRIDAY SAVINGS MONTH WESTERN AUTO HOME & APPLIANCE “Creating Memories” 234 S. Main Street • Pendleton, OR 97801 • 541-276-0303 Pendleton Paws 6th Annual Benefi t Pet Pictures with Santa • Saturday Dec 2nd • 10 am - 2 pm michael@michaelsfi nejewelrystore.com www.michaelsfi nejewlerystore.com 320 SW Emigrant • Pendleton, OR 97801 541-276-3534 • 1-800-580-3534 12 MONTH SPECIAL FINANCE On purchases of $499 or more with your Synchrony Bank credit card.