A CHRISTMAS TREE in downtown Ridgefield draws lots of people during the town’s annual winter celebration.
SANTA CLAUS makes a popular photo opportunity for children and parents attending a past Ridgefield Hometown Celebration.
All the popular events will be back during this weekend’s Ridgefield Hometown Celebration, plus a new one – a holiday bazaar at Overlook Park sponsored by Columbia Credit Union.
The annual celebration will be Sat., Dec. 6, and the bazaar from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m promises some great browsing among lots of items in more than 20 booths.
“Columbia Credit Union has been a supporter of the Hometown Celebration for many years as the horse and carriage provider, but we weren’t able to secure that vendor this year,” explained Columbia Credit Union’s Michelle Thor.
When city of Ridgefield officials suggested the bazaar, Columbia Credit Union jumped at the chance to be involved in a different way this year.
“We’re excited to be there, and we’ll be handing out cocoa packets,” Thor said.
The day’s activities kick off at 9 a.m. with the traditional Ugly Christmas Sweater Run in downtown Ridgefield. Participants can grab your most hideous holiday sweater and take part in a 5K or 10K run/walk with Santa.
An arts and crafts bazaar will be held at the Ridgefield Community Center, 210 N. Main Ave., from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. There will be music throughout the day, starting with OPUS on the Overlook Park stage from 11 a.m. until noon.
Church of the Nazarene, 747 Pioneer St., will be the site of cookie decorating and holidays crafts from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. while South Ridge Elementary school will host a bazaar in the church from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m.
The event many children will be waiting for happens at noon sharp as Santa arrives at Umpqua Bank, located at 228 N. Simons. Photos with Santa, taken by Dan and Lisa Kallem, will be available for $5 each or $4 with two cans of food.
Attendees can snuggle up in a warm blanket that will be provided for free holiday trailer rides from noon to 3 p.m. The Old Liberty Theater, 115 N. Main Ave., will be the scene of a living nativity by Ridgefield Community United Methodist Church during the same hours.
Meanwhile, Ridgefield School District officials will present grand opening events for its new facilities from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., with a special ribbon cutting ceremony at 3:30 p.m. at Ridgefield High School.
Jazzy blues Christmas music will be played at Ridgefield Community Library, 210 N. Main Ave., from noon until 4 p.m. There also will be cookies and children’s crafts.
Overlook Park is the place to be again at 5 p.m. when the tree lighting happens with fireside carolers, followed by a community sing-along with candy, hot cocoa and cider.
The day’s activities conclude from 6 to 9 p.m. with cabaret, including a burlesque show with fire dancing, at Avalon Events, 112 N. Main Ave. Participants must be 21 or older, and food and beverages will be available.
