PORT TOWNSEND — Santa arrives in Port Townsend on Saturday, lighting the community Christmas tree and beginning the final lap of the holiday season.
The ceremony is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. at Haller Fountain, at Taylor and Washington streets.
Traffic on Taylor Street will be closed at around 4 p.m., while the closure time on Washington Street between Fillmore and Jefferson streets will depend on the crowds, according to the Port Townsend Police Department.
“We have a very special place to live and are celebrating the unique aspects of our small town,” said Main Street Executive Director Mari Mullen.
“The whole town is involved, recognizing the entrepreneurial small businesses that make our uptown and downtown areas special.”
The tree lighting, which will feature Mayor David King and performances by the Wild Rose Chorale and the Port Townsend Coda Youth Chorus, is only part of the day’s holiday celebration.
Wild Rose caroling
Caroling from the Wild Rose Chorale will take place between 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. Saturday.
After the tree lighting, Santa will visit with children at the Jefferson Museum of Art and History, 540 Water St.
The tree lighting also coincides with the monthly downtown Art Walk, which takes place from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. in downtown art galleries.
Additionally, several merchants will stay open until 7 p.m. to accommodate late shopping, Mullen said, with many shops providing free holiday goodies.
A party in the newly configured Undertown, down the steps at the corner of Water and Taylor streets, will take place at the same time as the Art Walk to celebrate the four new businesses open in that space.
Several merchants participated in a “star matching” program where Main Street paid half the cost of hanging large white holiday star lights in the merchants’ place of business.
The stars were hung with the help of Labor Leaders, a local nonprofit that provides youth job training.
The community tree is a 22-foot tall silver fir donated by Henry’s Tree Farm in Poulsbo and was decorated by volunteers earlier this week with assistance from East Jefferson Fire-Rescue’s Justin Fletcher and Peter Yeleca.
For more information, visit www.ptmainstreet.org.
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Jefferson County Editor Charlie Bermant can be reached at 360-385-2335 or cbermant@peninsuladailynews.com.
