Parade, tree lighting to coincide

Tis the season for the annual lighted Christmas Parade!

The event is set to begin at 5 p.m. at the Elochoman Slough Marina on Saturday, Dec. 2.

The parade planning committee is still looking for participants. Any and all are welcome. They suggest entering most anything, so long as lights are added, including “tractors, lawn mowers, cars, trucks, trailers, boats, floats, horses, dogs, people…you name it. How about a wagon of carolers or a lighted hayride?”

They also hope boat owners will light up the marina and the waterfront, maybe with a parade of their own.

The committee will be giving out awards for best in show and most creative.

The parade route will begin at the marina, heading up 3rd Street to Chester Street, then making its way downtown on Main Street. The path takes a right on Broadway, and another right onto River Street, which turns into Division Street and Una Street, before heading left on 2nd Street and back down to the marina.

Come down and watch from the sidewalk, or from the seat of your car, somewhere along the parade route.

A Holiday Market and Craft Beer Garden begins that day at 3 p.m. at River Mile 38 Brewing Co.

Vendors are already lining up to share their handcrafted items and Hobo Coyote will provide food. The brewery will offer festive cocktails along with their usual beer and ciders.

Fun activities are planned for the whole family.

Parade entry is $5, and free to all first responders and veterans. Applications for the parade or for vendors can be picked up by contacting lightedholidaymarketparade@gmail.com or by stopping by the Wahkiakum Chamber of Commerce.

“It’s going to be a spectacular event,” Volunteer Nicci Bergseng said.

It’s all a part of the flurry of activity planned for the holiday season.

The Wahkiakum Chamber of Commerce decided to marry their tree lighting ceremony with the parade this year, so it too will take place on December 2.

“It will be a bigger event with more things to do,” Chamber Director Alysse Weiler said.

From 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. little ones and the young at heart can meet Santa Claus in the lobby of the Hotel Cathlamet for pictures.

At 4:30 p.m., the community is invited to gather in front of the Wahkiakum County Courthouse to sing carols and celebrate the tree lighting before the lighted parade.

Afterwards, there will be live music and a Christmas party at River Mile 38 from 6-9 p.m.