“Lights on the Bay Community Bridge Walk” will follow the lighting of Waldport’s Christmas tree Saturday evening.
By CHERYL ROMANO/Lincoln Chronicle
A sleigh full of events starts making spirits bright this weekend as traditional holiday fun enlivens the first weekend in December in Yachats and Waldport. From breakfast with Santa to tree lightings, shopping fairs to a festive parade, the schedule begins Saturday with these seasonal highlights:
SATURDAY, Dec. 6
Yachats
Breakfast with Santa, 8:30-11:30 a.m., Lions Club Hall. Sponsored by the Lions Club and Yachats Youth and Family Activities Program, the pancake breakfast is prepared by Lions Club “elves.” Every child will receive a gift from Santa. The breakfast is free; donations welcomed. Attendees are asked to RSVP to YYFAP executive director Kristi Anderson: 541-547-4599, or email [email protected].
Businesses in downtown Yachats will be participating in the Hot Cocoa Trail from 2-5 p.m. Saturday.Holiday Vendor Fair, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., the Commons. Some 20 vendors will offer holiday shopping options in a wide range of goods, from driftwood wreaths to jewelry, painting, cards and more.
Wreath-making workshop, noon to 4 p.m., the Commons. Everything needed to make a fresh holiday wreath in two different sizes will be on hand. Recommended donation is $10; attendees will be able to take home their own natural creations.
Yachats Ladies Club Holiday Bazaar & Bake Sale, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., 286 W. Third St. A variety of handcrafted items — hats and sweaters to home décor, homemade soaps and more — are available for sale along with baked goods and mini-pies. Tickets will be on sale for the club’s Oregon Coastal Community College scholarship quilt raffle, with proceeds going to the scholarship fund and local service organizations. Drawing date is Dec. 7; the winner doesn’t need to be present.
Real estate agent Wendy Snidow, who has organized finding and setting up Yachats’ Christmas tree for the last 20 years, works with volunteers and Pioneer Connect employees to string lights on the tree Thursday. (Quinton Smith/Lincoln Chronicle)Hot Cocoa Trail, 2-5 p.m. Local businesses will offer free cocoa or a sweet treat to visitors; signs in front of shops will indicate participating locations. A list of cocoa stops are available online. Representatives from the city of Yachats will be in the Commons’ Civic Room serving hot cocoa and treats. Stillwagon Distillery will also be on hand serving rum samples, and selling their local rum.
Christmas Tree Lighting, 5 p.m., parking lot of C&K Market. The Sweet Adelines choral group will perform. The event is a collaboration of Yachats businesswoman Wendy Snidow, First Baptist Church in Waldport, and Pioneer Connect.
Three members of the city of Waldport’s public works department string lights on the city’s Christmas tree Tuesday in preparation of the ceremonial lighting at 5:30 p.m. Saturday.Waldport
The Green Bike Co-op begins its Christmas bike giveaway, 320 Grant St. from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and running through Dec. 13, with evening hours available on request. Over 50 small, restored bikes (20-inch and smaller) will be available for free on a first come, first served basis. Some have training wheels.
Waldport-area residents can participate in the city’s Christmas tree lighting festival and candlelight bridge walk beginning at noon and going to 6:30 p.m. at the Alsea Bay Bridge Visitor Center & Museum.
The day’s schedule is:
- Noon: Center opens with free hot cocoa, coffee and treats;
- 3 p.m.: First Baptist Church Community Carolers;
- 3:30 p.m.: Santa Claus arrives;
- 5 p.m. Oregon Coast Chorus performs around the Christmas tree;
- 5:30 pm.: Official lighting of the tree, provided by Starker Forests and presented by the Waldport Chamber of Commerce, the city of Waldport and Starker Forests; and
- “Lights on the Bay Community Bridge Walk” will follow the tree lighting. Walkers will receive a candle, and volunteers will provide escorts from the visitor center across the Alsea Bay Bridge. Dogs are welcome. Presented by the Crestview Heights School Boosters and National Junior Honors Society.
SUNDAY, Dec. 7
Yachats
Yachats Ladies Club Holiday Bazaar & Bake Sale, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., 286 W. Third St. A variety of handcrafted items — hats and sweaters to home décor, homemade soaps and more — are available for sale along with baked goods and mini-pies. Tickets will be on sale for the club’s Oregon Coastal Community College scholarship quilt raffle, with proceeds going to the scholarship fund and local service organizations. Drawing date is Dec. 7; the winner doesn’t need to be present.
Holiday Vendor Fair, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., the Commons. Some 20 vendors will offer holiday shopping options in a wide range of goods, from driftwood wreaths to jewelry, painting, cards and more.
Friday, Dec. 12
Yachats
The Sweet Adelines will offer holiday songs at the Yachats Ladies Club, 286 W. Third St., at 7 p.m. Specially baked cookies and hot cider will be served.
Saturday, Dec. 13
Waldport
Breakfast with Santa, 9 a.m. to noon, Moose Lodge. Free for kids age 12 and under, the event features a pancake breakfast, photos with Santa, crafts and games. Presented by the Women of the Moose Chapter 1124; benefits Moose charities.
Holiday Open House, Central Oregon Coast Fire & Rescue, 2-4 p.m. Kids can get free pictures with Santa, along with hot cocoa, treats and games.
Saturday, Dec. 20
Waldport
Christmas Light Parade, 6:30 p.m. A caravan of holiday-decorated vehicles will roll through the streets of Old Town.
