Come one, come all, to Lincoln City’s official holiday kickoff event: the fifth annual Tree Lighting Party & Santa Sale, Nov. 25 and 26 at the Lincoln City Cultural Center. The community is invited to attend and enjoy two days of free family fun during Thanksgiving Weekend. This free public event will launch the Lincoln City holiday season with an ornament workshop, live music, a visit from Santa, yummy cakewalk and a vendor sale of handmade goods. The event will be open from noon to 7 pm on Friday, Nov. 25, and from 10 am to 4 pm on Saturday, Nov. 26. Admission and parking are free.
This two-day event is a gift to the community from the Lincoln City Cultural Center, its staff and volunteers, along with generous sponsors from the local business community. The tree will be provided by Noble Creek Tree Farm, felled by Capt. Jim Kusz of the North Lincoln Fire & Rescue District, and transported by Lincoln City Towing. Once at the center, the 20-foot Noble Fir tree will be installed by local crews from Pacific Power and decorated by Chessman Gallery director Krista Eddy, with help from event manager Judy Hardy, information center volunteer Dawn Bredimus and a crew of LCCC volunteer elves.
This year, the tree will be located on the northwest corner of the center property, near the auditorium. It will first be illuminated at sunset on the day after Thanksgiving and, weather willing, it will shine with holiday spirit every evening through the month of December. This year, the LCCC’s community holiday display is being “greened” with renewable energy by the Pacific Power Blue Sky program. The utility has pledged to acquire renewable energy certificates, equal to the amount of power required for the five-week lighting display.
FRIDAY EVENTS
The doors to the Lincoln City Cultural Center, inside the historic Delake School building at NE Sixth St. and Hwy. 101, will open at noon on Friday, Nov. 25. All are welcome to shop the Santa Sale vendors, the Chessman Gallery and the LCCC Members Gift Shop, open from noon to 7 pm.
From 2-5 pm, kids of all ages are invited to Krista Eddy’s famous Make-and-Take Ornament Workshop. In this year’s creative, fun and free family art project, you can design and assemble your own cardboard Christmas snowflake ornament. Then, you can glue it together and adorn it with your choice of glitter sparkles. All ages are welcome, but kids under the age of eight should be accompanied by an adult.
At 5 pm, Kenny’s IGA will provide cookies and hot chocolate, while talented Sweet Adelines offer their annual gift of Christmas carols. At around 5:15, around the tree on the northwest lawn, Mayor Don Williams will lead the crowd in the countdown (if the weather is too stormy, the countdown and singing will take place indoors, in Margaret’s Meeting Room).
After the tree is illuminated and the crowd sings another carol, Santa Claus will arrive via fire engine (thanks to the North Lincoln Fire & Rescue District volunteers). Kris Kringle will disembark at the south entrance, and make his way down the hall to the auditorium stage, where he will hear wishes and give away candy canes until 7 pm. The annual Tree Lighting Party Cake Walk, featuring tasty donated cookies, cupcakes and other baked goods, will begin at 6 pm in the dance studio.
Volunteers are still needed for decoration crews Nov. 14-18, and for the event on Nov. 25. To help out, call Judy at 541-994-9994.
SATURDAY EVENTS
The fun will continue on Saturday, Nov. 26, from 10 am to 4 pm. Among the attractions will be:
- The Chessman Gallery, which will feature a show called “Little Houses.” It has been said that in dreams, a house represents one’s self. Using this metaphor, artist Kate Saunders has created small houses made from fused glass and textural mixed media, representing people, or groups of people. Enjoy a display of these works, along with poetry by Ger Killeen, with readings available by QR codes on your smart phone or tablet.
- The (Not Quite 11th Hour) Santa Sale, a tradition at the LCCC launched more than a decade ago by Arlene and Lyle Gowing. This juried show of 24 artists will offer a delightful buffet of handmade gifts, from ornaments and rugs to jewelry and wearable art. You’ll find wreaths, nuts, knitted items and more, all through the auditorium and hallways. This year’s event is being managed by Phil Robertson and All Ways Travel, for more information call 541-921-4716.
- The LCCC Members Gift Shop, with festive linens, ornaments, cards and other holiday gifts to place under your tree. You’ll find ceramics, table runners, photo cards, dolls, paintings and more. Purchase your gifts through this shop, and you’ll benefit both the local artisan and the Cultural Center.
- Face Painting by Julie Fiedler, offering the beautiful, artistic décor that will brighten your holiday. Julie has made her reputation at the Lincoln City Farmers Market, and will offer face painting for all ages, by donation.
TREE LIGHTING PARTY & SANTA SALE
Nov. 25 & 26, 2016 at the Lincoln City Cultural Center, 540 NE Hwy. 101
For details, to volunteer or to donate, call 541-994-9994
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
All events free & open to the public
Friday, Nov. 25
Doors Open from Noon to 7 pm
Santa Sale Vendor Fair, Art Gallery, Gift Shop & Live Music
Noon Bell Carols by Georgia Roelof
2-5 pm Make-and-Take Ornaments, Conference Room
5 pm Carols by the Sweet Adelines
5:15 pm Countdown by Mayor Don Williams, Tree Illumination
5:30 pm Santa arrives by fire truck, South Entrance
5:45-7 pm Santa hears wishes, Auditorium
6-7 pm Cake Walk, Dance Studio
Saturday, Nov. 26
10 am-4 pm Santa Sale Vendor Fair,
“Little Houses” display in the Chessman Gallery
LCCC Members Gift Shop
Face Painting by Julie Fiedler
The Lincoln City Cultural Center is a non-profit center for community and creativity, inside the historic Delake School building, at the corner of NE Sixth St. and Hwy. 101. The center, which is also home to the official Lincoln City Visitor Information Center, is open from 10 am to 5 pm every day except Tuesday. For details, head to www.lincolncity-culturalcenter.org, or call 541-994-9994.
