PORT TOWNSEND — Ted Krysinski could only estimate the number of red, green, gold and blue LED lights about to illuminate the community Christmas tree beside the Haller Fountain.
Counting the crates Tuesday morning, he said there would be about 2,800 bulbs strung on the boughs, as well as on the stairs over the plaza at Washington and Taylor streets.
Krysinski, whose company is Fyrelite Grip & Lighting, worked with stringer Chris Kauffman to festoon the tree with lights amid Tuesday’s intermittent rain and wind.
The Port Townsend Main Street Program has organized activities around the 16-foot-tall tree, including an official lighting at dusk this Saturday, when sunset will be at 4:18 p.m.
This year the tree lighting is an in-person event, while those who prefer to watch at home will be able to find a live webcast on the Port Townsend Main Street Program’s Facebook page.
Also in downtown Port Townsend, the Tyler Street Plaza at Water and Tyler streets has a 30-foot by 40-foot tent providing shelter for shoppers.
“Our dream was to have an outdoor room,” said Main Street Executive Director Mari Mullen.
The tent, rated for winds of up to 90 mph, will be moved to the Pope Marine Park later this month in time for First Night festivities on Dec. 31.
Meantime, it’s the site for public activities Saturday:
• From 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., the Wild Rose Chorale will sing;
• Starting at 2 p.m., free take-and-make ornament supplies will be on tap;
• From 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., the public is invited to take photos with Santa and the Kiwanis Choo Choo train next to the Flagship Landing building beside the plaza.
At the Haller Fountain at 1 p.m. Saturday, a Hidden History walking tour will start.
This free hourlong tour, which will be offered again Dec. 18, explores the interpretive Hidden History signs dotting the downtown, along with other points of interest.
To sign up and find out more, see www.ptmainstreet.org.
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Jefferson County senior reporter Diane Urbani de la Paz can be reached at 360-417-3509 or durbanidelapaz@peninsuladailynews.com.
Ted Krysinski of Fyrelite Grip & Lighting worked Tuesday with thousands of LED lights that will decorate Port Townsend’s Haller Fountain plaza. (Diane Urbani de la Paz/Peninsula Daily News)
The Kiwanis Choo Choo will motor through Uptown and downtown Port Townsend, sounding its freight train-like horn this Saturday and on Dec. 11. (Diane Urbani de la Paz/Peninsula Daily News)
