Sequim and Port Angeles conducted virtual tree-lighting ceremonies last week because of COVID-19 precautions.
Unlike previous years, Santa Claus, live music and other events were not featured due to state regulations.
In Sequim, Captain-Crystal Stout and a small team of physically-distanced elves helped light up the downtown tree on Thanksgiving night.
She, Emily Westcott and other volunteers had worked since mid-October to gather lights and decorate the downtown area at 1st Security Bank park, Centennial Park and the Pioneer Memorial Park waterfall.
The 20-foot tree, donated by Brown Maloney, features 11,000 lights.
Thanksgiving lights
Stout said organizers chose to hold the virtual ceremony on Thanksgiving night because they didn’t want to compete with Port Angeles’ tree lighting at 5 p.m. Saturday.
To usher in the season, Stout, this year’s Ms. Senior United States, sang her version of the holiday tune “It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas (in Sequim).”
She broadcast the event live on her Facebook page, and it can be seen at the City of Sequim’s Facebook pages, such as facebook.com/sequimwagov.
Also, look for Sequim business-related events at sequimchamber.com/hometown2020.
In Port Angeles, the tree donated by Jackie and John Z. Miller of Port Angeles was illuminated Saturday.
Links to the virtual tree-lighting are on the websites and Facebook pages of the Port Angeles Chamber of Commerce or on the Port Angeles Downtown Association website.
Plans were to include a message from Port Angeles Mayor Kate Dexter and pre-recorded solos from local high school and community members, as well as 10 messages of 10 to 15 seconds each from downtown businesses, said organizer Beth Witters.
Holiday events are planned in Port Townsend and Forks this coming weekend.
The downtown Port Angeles Christmas tree glows as the sun sets over the plaza at the Conrad Dyar Memorial Fountain on Saturday evening. The tree was lit on Saturday without on-site fanfare because of distancing requirements of COVID-19 and will remain illuminated into January. (Keith Thorpe/Peninsula Daily News) The downtown Port Angeles Christmas tree glows as the sun sets over the plaza at the Conrad Dyar Memorial Fountain on Saturday evening. The tree was lit on Saturday without on-site fanfare because of distancing requirements of COVID-19 and will remain illuminated into January. (Keith Thorpe/Peninsula Daily News)
