Polk County
Living
From tree
lightings to
Santa trains,
Polk County
helped kick
off the
holiday
season in
style.
Polk County Itemizer-Observer • December 6, 2017 7A
Santa
Claus is
coming
to town
LUKAS EGGEN/Itemizer-Observer
Ariana Andrade, right, waves as Santa arrives in Independence by train on Saturday afternoon.
EMILY MENTZER/Itemizer-Observer
Wolfie poses for a photo during the tree lighting ceremony on Friday night.
EMILY MENTZER/Itemizer-Observer
Western Oregon University’s 50th tree lighting ceremony
had music, snacks, a light parade and a visit from Santa
Claus on Friday evening.
LUKAS EGGEN/Itemizer-Observer
Santa waves to the crowd in Independence as he arrives
on the Santa Train on Saturday afternoon.
EMILY MENTZER/Itemizer-Observer
JOLENE GUZMAN/Itemizer-Observer
Western Oregon University celebrated the 50th an-
niversary of its tree lighting on Friday.
Winterfest gave people a chance to enjoy the winter dec-
orations.
JOLENE GUZMAN/Itemizer-Observer
LUKAS EGGEN/Itemizer-Observer
Calista Berringer, 6, tells Santa what she wants for Christmas during Winterfest in Dal-
las on Friday night.
Jade and McKenzie helped hand out toys to children during the Santa Train on Satur-
day afternoon.