PORT TOWNSEND — Santa will arrive by train.
The annual community holiday tree lighting that kicks off the holiday season in earnest in Port Townsend is Saturday.
The Kiwanis Choo Choo train will deliver Mayor David King and Santa Claus to the festivities at about 4:30 p.m. at Haller Fountain at the corner of Taylor and Washington streets.
Santa will light the tree and the mayor will give a speech.
“The tree lighting is a big day downtown,” said Mari Mullen, Port Townsend Main Street executive director.
“People come downtown to shop, a lot of stores are open until 7 p.m. and it’s also art walk.”
Mullen said the theme of this year’s ceremony is “Look Here First,” encouraging people to see what’s available in Port Townsend before shopping online or out of town.
“We really have gifts covered and I’d be surprised if you don’t find what you want downtown,” Mullen said.
“Giving gifts is an expression of love, so if you want to show that you love your town you should shop here.”
The tree is decorated with dozens of hand-made tin ornaments created by Grant Street Elementary School third grade students.
Key City Public Theatre players will perform a scene from “A Christmas Story” during the tree-lighting celebration.
After the ceremony, Santa will hop back on the train and proceed to the Pope Marine Building at the corner of Water and Madison streets to hear Christmas wishes.
Leading up to the ceremony, the Wild Rose Chorale will walk through downtown performing a variety of holiday music.
During that time, 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., several downtown merchants will offer in-store refreshments.
Mullen said that the tree-lighting usually draws about 800 people “and it seems to be growing.”
“It’s influenced by the weather,” she said.
“But it has a lot of energy and is always something that people look forward to.”
Main Street volunteers have been decorating the town all week, attaching tree ornaments and installing 18 lighted snowflakes on Jefferson County Public Utility District poles and at the Jefferson County Courthouse.
The day also will include the unveiling of the 2015 Main Street Christmas ornament, designed by artist Amanda Kingsley and available at several downtown stores for $12.
Proceeds from the annual ornament sales help fund the holiday activities of the Port Townsend Main Street Program.
For more information, call Dawn Pierson at 360-385-7911, email admin@ptmainstreet.org or visit www.ptmainstreet.org.
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Jefferson County Editor Charlie Bermant can be reached at 360-385-2335 or cbermant@peninsuladailynews.com.
