FORKS — Downtown Forks will glitter in the holiday spirit Saturday with the annual Twinkle Light Parade and tree lighting ceremony.
Santa Claus will be on hand for the parade and other events during the Christmas-themed weekend.
“There’s going to be lots of stuff to do,” said Lissy Andros, Forks Chamber of Commerce executive director.
“Santa’s going to be all over the place on Saturday.”
The 17th annual Twinkle Light Parade will begin at 6:30 p.m. Saturday and run north along Forks Avenue from C Street to Sol Duc Way. The short parade will end at the “triangle” at the corner of Forks Avenue and Sol Duc Way.
A community tree adorned with hundreds of bulbs will be lit at the triangle at about 6:45 p.m.
Twinkle Light Parade organizer and Forks Forum editor Christi Baron said 10 entries were registered for the parade as of Thursday.
“It’s not a very large parade, but it packs a big punch,” Andros said Thursday.
“People come out regardless of the weather to watch it. It’s rain or shine.”
The National Weather Service was calling for a slight chance of showers in Forks with a low of 33 on Saturday night.
Baron said the parade will include an ambulance, the Forks Old Fashioned Fourth of July float, and, of course, Santa.
“Santa’s the main attraction,” Baron said.
After the parade, Santa will push a traditional plunger to light the community tree.
Stores will remain open after the tree-lighting ceremony to cater to holiday shoppers.
Andros said the Twinkle Light Parade weekend “puts everyone in the Christmas spirit.”
“We’re hoping to have a good turnout,” she said.
The Christmas festivities begin today with the Cherish Our Children fundraiser at 5 p.m. at the Forks Elks Lodge, 941 Merchants Road.
The Quileute Tribe and the city of Forks are holding the 17th annual fundraiser to purchase Christmas gifts for youths in Forks and La Push.
Dinner and desert will be available for purchase and live and silent auctions will be held.
On Saturday, a Breakfast with Santa will be held at Forks Congregational Church, 280 S. Spartan Ave., from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m.
A Veterans of Foreign Wars Christmas Bazaar will be held at the VFW Hall, 110 S. Spartan Ave., from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday.
RainShadow Ringers Bell Choir of Carlsborg in conjunction with First Congregational Church of Forks will put on the 3rd-annual Christmas Bell concert to benefit the Forks Food Bank. The concert will be held at the First Congregational Church, 280 Spartan Ave., at 2 p.m.
Soroptimist International of the Olympic Rain Forest will hold its Festival of the Trees Saturday and Sunday in the Rainforest Arts Center, 35 N. Forks Ave.
An open house to view the trees will be from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. and from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday.
The Festival of the Trees reopens at 1 p.m. Sunday and auctioning will begin at 2 p.m.
The theme for this year’s Festival of the Trees is “Christmas through the eyes of a child.”
Also on Sunday in Sekiu will be the 30th annual Children’s Winter Faire at the Sekiu Community Center, 42 Rice St., from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Children will make traditional and not-so-traditional gifts for family and friends, with multiple tables offering different gift project ideas. Children must be accompanied by adults.
This free event will offer treats, coffee, Miss Adele’s “tingly-tangly punch,” and a visit from Santa Claus.
Volunteers from the West End Senior Citizens, West End Youth & Community Club, Clallam County United Way and Clallam Bay High School work together to provide this family-centered celebration of the season.
For more information, call Jamye Wisecup at 360-460-5355.
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Reporter Rob Ollikainen can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 56450, or at rollikainen@peninsuladailynews.com.
