PORT TOWNSEND — The spirit of Christmas will be welcomed to this Victorian seaport town Saturday.
Caroling, tours of Victorian inns, a community tree lighting, visits from Santa and two holiday concerts are planned.
“It is the most exciting day of the year in Port Townsend,” said Mari Mullen, executive director of the Port Townsend Main Street program.
The Port Townsend Main Street program has sponsored the tree lighting since 1988.
“It’s a traditional way to kick off the holiday season,” Mullen said.
Victorian parlor tours
Tours of restored Victorian homes now converted to bed and breakfast inns are set from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. each Saturday through Dec. 20.
The Victorian Holiday Open Parlor Tour this Saturday is of Commander’s Beach House, 400 Hudson St.; Ravenscroft Inn, 533 Quincy St.; Old Consulate Inn, 313 Walker St.; and Bishop Victorian Hotel, 714 Washington St.
Tickets are $15. Reservations are recommended. Tickets also can be purchased at the first listed venue of each tour.
The tours are sponsored by Olympic Peninsula Steam and the Victorian Society in America-Northwest chapter.
Santa’s hospital visit
Santa Claus and his elves will arrive in Port Townsend at Jefferson Healthcare from noon to 3 p.m. to visit with children.
He will greet children at the Sheridan Street entrance to the hospital.
Photos with Santa will cost $7.
Cookies will be served. Letters to Santa can be dropped off at the North Pole mailbox.
The visit is sponsored by the Jefferson Healthcare Hospital Auxiliary.
All proceeds from hospital gift shop sales will support health care scholarships, services and equipment purchases at Jefferson Healthcare.
Tree lighting
As darkness falls, Santa will make his way downtown to light the community tree as the Wild Rose Chorale sings carols.
Santa Claus will arrive aboard the Port Townsend Kiwanis Club’s Choo Choo Train — a miniature train — to light the community tree at 4:30 p.m. at the Haller Fountain at Washington and Taylor streets.
He will stay for a visit with children at the Jefferson Museum of Art and History, 540 Water St.
A Main Street Christmas ornament featuring Santa arriving in Port Townsend on the Choo Choo will be available for sale for $15.
The ornament is available at Elevated Ice Cream & Candy Co., Maricee Fashions, PT Shirt Co., Quimper Mercantile Co., Sport Townsend, The Closet Space, The Green Eyeshade and Uptown Nutrition
Sales of the ornaments benefit the Port Townsend Main Street Program, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
Concerts
The evening will be topped by two holiday music concerts.
The Port Townsend High School and Blue Heron Middle School orchestras will perform at Winter Stringfest at 3 p.m. in the high school gymnasium, 1500 Van Ness St.
The Port Townsend Community Orchestra will present the Noel holiday concert at 7:30 p.m. in the Chimacum High School auditorium, 91 West Valley Road in Chimacum.
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Reporter Arwyn Rice can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 5070, or at arice@peninsuladailynews.com.
