By Mary Owen
Kim Zuber had a dream: host a Christmas light parade in Sublimity. This Christmas, she hopes town folks will come out twinkling as her dream becomes a reality.
“We encourage everyone who wants to enter to do so,” Zuber said. “We are inviting everyone to come and see the many floats, pickups, trucks, motorcycles, cars, tractors and people decorated in festive lights!”
Zuber met with her cousin, Renee Hendricks, and shared her vision for hosting the parade. Hendricks had wanted to enter her team of horses from the Mill Creek Carriage Co. in Salem’s annual Christmas light parade only to find out that entrance fees of what Zuber called “a large amount” were needed.
So the cousins put their heads together and began planning a local event, Zuber said.
“I went to the mayor and asked if they would like to help us get the parade ‘off the planning stages and put into action!’” Zuber said.
“When I was approached about this event, I had a lot of questions at first, but over a very short time, they were able to answer my questions, and I said sure,” Mayor Gene Ditter said.
And with Mayor Ditter and the Sublimity City Council’s approval, Sublimity will hold its first annual Christmas in the Country Light Parade at 6 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 3, with judging a half-hour prior to the start of the parade.
Participants will wind through the town’s streets from Sublimity Middle School on East Main, right on Pine, right on Church to Center, right on Center to Main, left on Main ending at the city park on Parker, where Santa and friends will light the city’s Christmas tree before handing out candy canes to the kiddies. Free hot chocolate and cider will be available at the Sublimity Fire Hall, Zuber said.
“Everyone can participate!” Zuber said. “There is a $5 fee per entry. And ribbons will be awarded for the best use of lights.”
Entry forms are available at the Sublimity City Hall or on the city’s website at www.cityofsublimity.org. Zuber hopes Sublimity residents will embrace the parade and that it will become a yearly tradition.
“This is something that we hope will get the people of the Sublimity community more involved with the city and help build our own identity,” Ditter said. “Hope to see everyone there!”
For information, call Sublimity City Hall, 503-769-5475.
Home for the Holidays Stayton tradition
Home for the Holidays in Stayton Dec. 3 starts early with the Toys for Joy Cruise-In and Breakfast with Santa and fills the day with a craft bazaar, green sale, coat giveaway, holiday movie free with food bank donation, flashlight parade from the Star theater to the city tree for caroling, cookies and the lighting of the tree at 5:30 p.m. Events are organized by community groups and coordinated and promoted by the Stayton Sublimity Chamber of Commerce.
21st Toys for Joy Breakfast with Santa and Cruise-in
8 – 11 a.m. Stayton Fire Station, 1988 W. Ida St. Cruise-in and breakfast. Adults $5, kids and seniors $4. Cruise-in registration 8 a.m. Entry fee for cars: new unwrapped toy. Trophies for decorated cars and car club participation, raffle. A great place to visit with Santa, see specialty cars, and donate to Toys for Joy, sponsored by Stayton Firefighters. Cruise in organized by Russ Strohmeyer: 503-930-8976.
39th annual Stayton Christmas and Craft Bazaar
9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Stayton Middle School, 1021 Shaff Road, Stayton. Bazaar open to craft vendors and non-craft vendors. Kids participate in free craft area or visit with Santa. Proceeds are donated to various community groups. Canned food donations accepted for Stayton Community Food Bank. Free shuttle from Bi-Mart. Ed Tabor: 503-990-2119
St. Mary’s Green Sale
9 a.m. – 1 p.m. . St. Mary Catholic Grade School, 1066 N. Sixth Ave., Stayton. Coffee and hot chocolate. 503-769-2718
Winter Coat Giveaway
10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Stayton Public Library. While supplies last. Free books and hot chocolate for kids.
Holiday Movie The Polar Express
3:30 p.m. Star Cinema, 350 N. Third Ave., Stayton. Admission $1 or canned food item. Proceeds to Stayton Area Food Bank. Sponsored by Gerry and DeeAnne Aboud & Star Cinema. 503-767-7469, starcinema.net
Holiday Flashlight Parade
5:15 p.m. Bring your flashlights, join the walk with Santa from Star Cinema to Third Avenue and Virginia St. for the holiday tree lighting. 503-769-3464
Stayton Tree Lighting and Refreshments
5:30 p.m. Third Ave. & Virginia St. Carols, goodies, and the community countdown as Santa lights the tree! Sponsored by Stayton Volunteer Protection Co. #1 and New Hope Community Church. 503-769-3464
Rangers, campground hosts and Friends of Silver Falls are decking the halls of the historic South Falls Lodge to prepare for fun, good cheer and even a visit from Santa.
“This is such a fun time of year,” said Lou Nelson with Friends of Silver Falls, a support arm of Silver Falls Park. “The festival gets everyone in the holiday spirit!”
Silver Falls State Park’s 34th annual Christmas Festival will take place from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the weekend of Dec. 10-11. All crafts (except for bird nest box building) and activities are free, but a parking pass is required to enter the park. Purchase a one-day pass for $5, an annual pass for $25 during December, or a 24-month pass for $50.
Visitors of all ages can get creative with numerous make-and-take projects, including handmade holiday cards, gingerbread houses, festive ornaments, genuine wreaths, nature crafts and more.
The RoundHouse Band will provide live music both days at 1-3 p.m., and local musicians and choral groups will perform at various times near the fireplace in the South Falls Lodge.
The Salem Audubon Society will supply parts, tools and know-how for visitors to build a bird nest box. Cost is $5 for materials.
Families can grab a cookie and a cup of cocoa and gather around the South Lodge fireplace to hear Ranger Dorothy reading seasonal stories each afternoon. JR Beaver and Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus will make their rounds between noon and 3 p.m. each day.
The South Falls Nature Store will also be open at its new location in the Log Cabin, along the trail to South Falls, Nelson said.
“We have a variety of gifts and ornaments made by local artists,” she said.
For information about the event, call 503-874-0201 or visit www.oregonstateparks.org.
