The day after Thanksgiving is being given a new face in Stayton with the inaugural Stayton Holiday Festival, scheduled for Nov. 25 and 26 throughout downtown.
Presented by Revitalize Downtown Stayton, this free event is open to all and features a Christmas tree lighting, pictures with Santa and window decorations at local businesses.
Co-organizer Kara Porterfield said it is the kind of event where people can shop and eat local, make memories and work on their Christmas lists.
“It’s free and has lots of activities,” she said. “Downtown is becoming a happening place. People will have a lot of fun. They can drink hot chocolate, mulled wine, eat some good food and get started on their holiday shopping.”
Porterfield said she and co-organizer Melanie Orr felt inspired by Christmas Hallmark movies and approached Revitalize Downtown Stayton for support, as the group’s goal is to make the city’s historic downtown a social and cultural hub. She said the local reaction has been very positive, and both businesses and the community have offered their support.
“The downtown businesses are excited to decorate their windows as they have a chance to win one of two $500 prizes,” said Porterfield. “[C]ome vote for your favorite!”
Stayton Holiday Festival kicks off Nov. 25 with a Christmas tree lighting scheduled for 5:15 p.m. on the corner of N. Third Ave. and E. Ida St. The evening will also feature live performances, carriage rides, a craft bazaar, family-friendly games and a Christmas movie playing at Star Cinema.
Throughout the festival, holiday displays will be featured in 25 local businesses, and residents will be able to vote on their favorites. A People’s Choice Award and a Mayor’s Choice Award, sponsored by the Stayton City Council, will be presented to the winners, along with two $500 prizes.
And what holiday festival would be completed without a chance to visit with Santa Claus? The jolly old soul will be found on N. Third Ave. between E. Florence St. and E. Water St., and families are encouraged to snap photos with their mobile devices.
Porterfield said they will consider the festival a success if, after the festival, people are still talking about how much fun they had and how much they enjoyed being downtown.
For more information, look for Stayton Holiday Festival or Revitalize Downtown Stayton on Facebook.
