By CHERYL ROMANO/YachatsNews
WALDPORT — Jingle bells start ringing in Waldport this weekend, as the season dashes in with a sleigh full of special events.
From a major holiday bazaar to the city tree lighting, the schedule invites revelers to shop local, visit with Santa, listen to carolers and more, with additional festivities scheduled throughout the month.
Underway now is the annual Waldport Holiday Lights Tour, sponsored by Pioneer Connect and organized by the Waldport Chamber of Commerce. The map will be available at the Alsea Bay Bridge Visitor Center & Museum and printed in the Dec. 13 edition of Oregon Coast TODAY, with a link to a digital version.
Beginning Saturday, the community events on tap to make spirits bright include:
SATURDAY, Dec. 7
Waldport Beachcomber Days Holiday Bazaar, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Crestview Heights School gym. Some 60 vendors with unique, handcrafted goods will be on hand, selling pottery, jewelry, textiles, holiday decorations and baked goods.
Live music and a snack bar serving breakfast and lunch are part of the mix, along with stocking-decorating and Bingo for kids at noon. Children will be able to choose gifts — at no cost — at the bazaar’s “Elf Store”.
“All the proceeds raised by booth fees and the snack bar will go to buy yearbooks for kids at Crestview Elementary,” said Beachcomber Days secretary TiAnne Rios.
“Buying local is so important” she added, noting that holiday purchases “can make a big difference in the lives of small business owners.”
Admission is free. Students from Angell Job Corps are helping run the event and setting up booths.
SUNDAY, Dec. 8
Waldport Tree Lighting, 5:30 p.m. at the Visitor Center & Museum. The holiday event caps off a day of festive activities at the visitor center. The city erects and installs lights on the big, locally-sourced tree.
Before the switch is thrown, the chamber is offering several attractions. Visitor center doors open at 1 p.m. with free warm beverages from Froth Coffee Truck. Handcrafted holiday gifts will be available inside. At 3 p.m., carolers from Waldport First Baptist Church will perform.
Santa will be on hand at 3:30 pm. for photos, and to hand out trinkets and candy canes to “kids of all ages,” said Fullmer.
At 5 p.m., the Oregon Coast Chorus will sing seasonal selections before the tree is lighted at 5:30.
Admission is free; the center is handicapped accessible.
Also on Sunday, Waldport Beachcomber Days is sponsoring a candlelight bridge walk and dog costume contest from 4-5:30 p.m. over the Alsea Bay bridge. Every dog that shows up with their owner will get a prize. Reception follows at each end of the bridge – at the visitors center and the Waldport Seventh Day Adventist Church. The church reception is hosted by Our Savior Lutheran Church, whose building was damaged by a fire in August.
More details are available at the Beachcomber Days website.
MONDAY, Dec. 9
Beginning Monday, Dec. 9, the chamber’s motto “Find Yourself in Waldport” morphs into “Find Your Elf in Waldport” with a scavenger hunt designed to get shoppers into local stores.
Toy elves will be hidden at about 20 businesses around town. Using scorecards downloaded from the chamber website, shoppers can note where they see the elves. In early January, Fullmer reported, there will be a random drawing of the completed cards, awarding a high value “Waldport Elf.”
SATURDAY, Dec. 14
“Make a Reindeer Ornament” event from 2-4 p.m., Central Coast Fire & Rescue main station. Open to children of all ages, this cooperative effort between Waldport Beachcomber Days and Central Coast Fire & Rescue offers a crafting opportunity and more seasonal fun.
There will be a hot cocoa bar, photos with Santa, a Santa letter-writing station and “selfie” photo station. A big attraction is Santa’s custom red sleigh, which was built by fire department members.
FRIDAY, Dec. 20
A lighted parade organized by Waldport Beachcomber Days starts at 5:30 p.m. at the Port of Alsea, 365 N.E. Port St. Lighted floats and vehicles will travel through Old Town. People or organizations wishing to be part of the parade may call Rios by Tuesday, Dec. 10 at 541-270-5752.
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