PORT TOWNSEND — Nearly 1,000 people gathered around the Haller Fountain to celebrate the start of the holiday season and watch Santa light the city Christmas tree.
The annual event near the intersection of Washington and Taylor streets drew hundreds to downtown Port Townsend on Saturday night.
After the tree-lighting, the crowd dispersed into the various shops, restaurants, galleries and cafes along Water Street that stayed open late for the event, or worked their way down to the American Legion for the first “Reindeer Region at the Legion” for pictures with Santa and other holiday activities.
Jefferson County resident Mary Lux took her 3-year-old grandson Aiden to the festivities and was enjoying the time spent with him.
“It’s been good. We had to park up the hill, so getting down here was a challenge,” Lux said. “I’m trying to enjoy the time when he still thinks I’m cool. They don’t stay young forever.”
The Wild Rose Chorale performed throughout the afternoon, and at 4:30 p.m. the singers again took the stage to open the tree-lighting ceremony, leading the crowd in classic carols and holiday tunes.
Denise Winter, artistic director of Key City Theater, acted as emcee on stage and after the chorale finished, and along with Mayor Deborah Stinson and members of Key City Theater, further entertained the crowd with a holiday trivia contest. Stinson won the competition.
Santa rode into the festival on a decorated train — the Kiwanis Club’s George Earl Memorial Choo-Choo — and officially lit the tree and then proceeded down to the American Legion for the rest of the night’s activities.
Volunteer Amber Bartl helps kids decorate Christmas tree ornaments at the “Reindeer Region at the Legion” at the American Legion in Port Townsend. (Zach Jablonski/Peninsula Daily News)
Winter was happy with how the tree-lighting ceremony went and to see the program growing more.
“It was great; this has been a terrific crowd,” Winter said. “We’ve been growing the event and are always trying to improve it and make it accessible to the community.
“I think it’s growing into an evening full of family friendly events … I’m excited to see that grow.”
The holiday kickoff event takes the cooperation more than 20 volunteers, Mari Mullen, executive director of Port Townsend Main Street, said.
“We have such great people working on this event. It’s a really great team of people,” Mullen said.
Mullen’s favorite part of the event is right when Santa arrives for the tree lighting.
“It’s just super fun when Santa gets off the train and you can see the joy the joy on the kids’ faces.”
A line stretched out the door of the American Legion as families waited to take a photo with Santa and take part in crafts including decorating ornaments and holiday cards for U.S. service members.
“We just wanted to have more things for kids,” Mullen said. “It makes it more of a party.”
The crafts were sponsored by the American Legion, Kitsap Bank, Port Townsend Kiwanis and KPTZ 91.9 FM.
On Dec. 14 and Dec. 21, Kiwanis and Main Street will offer rides on the George Earl Memorial Choo-Choo to benefit the arts in school programs. The rides will begin near Pope Marine Park across the street from the American Legion hall at the corner of Monroe and Water streets. A $5 donation is suggested.
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Jefferson County reporter Zach Jablonski can be reached at 360-385-2335, ext. 5, or at zjablonski@peninsuladailynews.com
The city Christmas tree next to the Haller Fountain in downtown Port Townsend was lit in front of a crowd of more than 800 people. (Zach Jablonski/Peninsula Daily News)
