PORT ANGELES — Two weekend events point to the fact that winter and the holiday shopping season are just around the corner.
Merchants in downtown Port Angeles will kick off the holiday shopping season Saturday and Sunday during the third annual North Pole Stroll.
The event, sponsored by the Port Angeles Downtown Association/Main Street will feature open houses by business owners.
This year 38 businesses are opening their doors and encouraging people to stroll the downtown, which has recently been lighted with hundreds of white lights.
The tree lights were hung this week and will remain up until sometime in March to provide a warm and cozy atmosphere during the Peninsula’s cooler months, said Arla Holzschuh, executive director of the Port Angeles Downtown Association/Main Street.
In addition to strings of lights, several businesses will install lighted hanging baskets to add to the ambiance.
“The North Pole Stroll gives people the opportunity to shop downtown and enjoy the atmosphere,” Holzschuh said.
“It also gives business owners a chance to showcase their businesses.”
Participating businesses will display 3-foot tall red and white candy canes and candy cane-theme posters in their windows.
Customers will be greeted with refreshments in most stores and will find holiday specials awaiting.
People can also enter various drawings to win prizes from participating businesses.
Each business selects its hours of operation and specials.
Winterfest at Burton Center
Meanwhile, winter arrives early at the Vern Burton Community Center with the annual Winterfest.
The two-day event today and Saturday offers a dinner, movie and ski swap.
Tickets for tonight’s “Dinner and a Movie” portion of Winterfest, set for 4:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. at the center, 308 E. Fourth St., can be purchased at the door for $40 per person.
The evening includes dinner prepared by the North Olympic Peninsula Skills Center culinary class, auctions, the Warren Miller movie “Impact,” music by the Port Angeles High School jazz band and more.
Proceeds benefit the Hurricane Ridge Winter Sports Education Foundation, the fund-raising arm of the Hurricane Ridge Public Development Authority.
The annual ski and gear swap will be held Saturday at the Burton Center from 12:30 p.m. to about 3 p.m.
People wanting to sell items need to bring them to the center between 8:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m.
Sellers agree to donate 25 percent of the sale price of each item to the development authority.
Tickets to attend the swap meet are $2 per person or $5 for a family.
Also on Saturday, there will be a second showing of “Impact,” at 7 p.m.
The movie showcases winter sports’ top athletes and local heroes on the big screen as they travel to various locations around the globe in search of the perfect skiing spot.
Tickets are $8 per person.
For more information, call 360-457-4519.
