Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About Polk County itemizer observer. (Dallas, Or) 1992-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 2, 2015)
Polk County News 2A Polk County Itemizer-Observer • December 2, 2015 Caroling, tree lighting, Santa usher in December By Jolene Guzman and Emily Mentzer The Itemizer-Observer POLK COUNTY — Ah, December, when the air turns crisp, the turkey left- overs are in the freezer, and our thoughts officially turn to Christmas. To kick off the spirit, each town will host its Christmas celebrations, beginning Friday. DALLAS What says Christmas more than hot cocoa, carol- ing, cookies and Santa Claus? Winterfest, held each year at the Polk County Courthouse lawn in down- town Dallas on the first Fri- day in December has all of those and more. After having to cancel the event in 2013 due to a little too much winter — snowy and icy conditions — Winter- fest, 2014 had a large crowd of at least 1,700 people. “Three hundred and fifty kids saw Santa last year and the weather was perfect,” said Chelsea Metcalfe, the executive director of the Dallas Area Visitors Center, which is hosting Friday’s fes- tivities. Winterfest will officially kick off at 5 p.m. with ven- dors for Christmas shopping and hot cocoa and cookies while supplies last. But be- fore that, several food truck vendors will be downtown starting at 11 a.m. Metcalfe said the city had to close off parking for the event early in the day, so the food vendors might as well open for the lunch hour. “We are hoping people will come down for lunch and come back for dinner,” Metcalfe said. People will have plenty of choices for both, as Black Rock BBQ, JT’s Food Truck, El Pique, The Boondocks, and Sweet Dreams will be open until 7 p.m. Not to be left out, the Fox Theatre is getting in on the fun, showing “A Christmas Story,” at 4 p.m. After all, it’s not Christmas without hear- ing “You’ll shoot your eye out!” at least once. You can see Ralphie and friends’ shenanigans for free with a canned food donation. The main event — Santa lighting the tree on the courthouse lawn and visit- ing with all the good little boys and girls — will happen a bit earlier than years past. The Jolly Old Elf will arrive at about 6:15 p.m. “He will stay until every- one is seen,” Metcalfe said. FALLS CITY Now in its fourth year, Falls City’s Christmas tree lighting event kicks off the Christmas season with some old-fashioned holiday spirit on Saturday. This year, the tree, donat- ed by Weyerhaeuser and lighted by PP&L, will be in JOLENE GUZMAN/Itemizer-Observer file Kids eagerly await Santa Claus at Dallas Winterfest. Deck the Halls EMILY MENTZER/Itemizer-Observer file Lighted floats cruise down Main Street in Independence. the lot between Mountain Gospel Fellowship Church and Frink’s General Store, 319 N. Main St., Falls City. The gathering begins at 6:30 p.m. with music, home- made treats, hot chocolate and coffee. At 7 p.m. the tree will be lit. Organizer Tony Drill said the tradition started in an ef- fort to bring more people downtown during the winter season. It’s working. Last year, the tree lighting drew at least 150 people. “It’s a community event to bring everybody out,” Drill said. “When winter comes around, it gets cold. This gives them a reason to come and hang out.” INDEPENDENCE For the last five years, Santa Claus has come to visit children in Independ- ence via Portland & Western Railroad. Last year, free presents and treats were given to 1,134 kids who came to the Independence Cinema to sit on Santa’s lap, who has used the same antique chair, courtesy of the Heritage Mu- seum, each year. This year, organizers expect closer to 1,500 children. “We’re giving to the kids who need it the most,” said Cynthia Jaramillo, organizer of the annual event. Too many families in In- dependence are below the poverty line, she said. “I couldn’t fathom the idea that there were an esti- mated 3,000 children out there who weren’t going to have a Christmas,” Jaramillo said. And that’s when the Santa train was born. Kids and families patient- ly wait in line for their turn listening to Christmas music by Miki’s WildOne’s Karaoke, while people from Grove Church’s coffee house dis- pense hot chocolate from a backpack. Candy canes and popcorn will be served in line this year, too. The event takes place from 1 to 3 p.m. on Saturday at Independence Cinema, which will host movie deals during that time. At 5 p.m., the Parade of Lights will commence from Central High School, down to Main Street and finish at the Independence Civic Center, where treats will be served and songs may be sung. This year’s parade theme is “A Hometown Holiday,” said Robin Puccetti, Inde- pendence Public Library di- rector. The Independence Downtown Association, or- ganizer of the parade, is still accepting floats. The trick to making a float? It’s all about the lights, Puccetti said. MONMOUTH On the other side of the S Curves, Western Oregon University is the center of at- tention with celebrations starting Friday at 6 p.m. Things kick off with a hol- DALLAS What: Winterfest When: Friday 5 to 8 p.m. Where: Polk County Courthouse lawn, 850 Main St., Dal- las. Of note: Food trucks will be open at 11 a.m. for lunch and will serve for dinner until 7 p.m. For more information: 503-623-2564. FALLS CITY What: Christmas tree lighting When: Saturday at 6:30 p.m. Where: Lot between Mountain Gospel Fellowship Church and Frink’s General Store, 319 N. Main St., Falls City. Of note: Homemade treats and hot chocolate and cof- fee will served to take the chill out of the air. INDEPENDENCE What: Independence Santa Train and Parade of Lights. When: 1 to 3 p.m. on Saturday for Santa; 5 p.m. for pa- rade. Where: Santa will arrive by train at Independence Cine- ma; the parade begins near Central High and ends at the Civic Center. Of note: Independence Cinema will provide special prices for movies between 1 and 3 p.m., as well as give out popcorn for those in line to see Santa. For more information: www.independencedown- town.org or on Facebook, “IDA parade of lights.” MONMOUTH What: Western Oregon University’s 48th annual Holiday Tree Lighting. When: The light parade begins at 6 p.m. on Friday. Where: Western Oregon University, Monmouth. Of note: A combined choir from Talmadge Middle School, Independence and Monmouth elementary schools will perform after the tree lighting in the Paciic Room. For more information: Or to enter the cookie bakeof, John Wilkins, 503-838-8229 or wilkinsj@wou.edu. iday parade from Mon- mouth Public Library to WOU’s campus. This year’s theme is “Shining Brightly.” New WOU President Rex Fuller will speak after the parade, followed by the grand lighting of the tree. After the winners of the coloring and essay contests, the writer of the winning essay will push the plunger that lights the 128-year-old Sequoia tree near the Wern- er University Center. Inside Werner, Christmas comes alive with music, a cookie bakeoff, crafts for fam- ilies — sponsored by the WOU athletics department — a Christmas tree contest and, of course, pictures with Santa Claus himself. “Over at Gentle House, w e’ l l b e h a v i n g Wi n e, Warmth and Music,” said John Wilkins, coordinator for Campus Life and Activi- ties. “The vibe is for those folks seeking something dif- ferent than what Santa and arts and crafts brings.” Christmas trees in the contest will be donated to local families in need through Toys for Tots, Wilkins noted. The cookie bakeoff is open to community submis- sions, but be aware that if you want to be a guest judge, the samples go fast. There is no official end time to the 48th annual Holiday Tree Lighting, Wilkins said. “Last year we went until 10, but there’s a little bit of flex time with that,” he said. “Sometimes it depends on Santa. We really try to work with Santa and be respectful of his time.”
