Friends (left to right) Megan Weber, Emmarie Braithwaite, Kylee Carpenter, Ella Krause, and Aaliyah Vogan enjoy an outdoor heater at the Ridgefield Hometown Celebration in 2018.
Christmas Tree Trains with Chelatchie Prairie Railroad
The Chelatchie Prairie Railroad is hosting its month of Christmas Tree Excursions. The railroad will be offering three diesel runs each Saturday and Sunday of the schedule. The 1941 engine will depart from the station located at 207 N Railroad Ave., Yacolt at 9:30 a.m., noon and 2:30 p.m. This will be an opportunity to pick out your Christmas tree as Santa will have presents for each child and refreshments for all. Please note that the supply of trees will be limited on the Dec. 21 and 22 runs. Trains leave punctually so it is asked that you arrive at the station 30 minutes prior to your scheduled departure.
Family packages for the runs include four passenger tickets and a tree of choice. Douglas fir packages are $85 while Nordmann and Noble Fir are $105. Add an additional tree starting at $35 and add an additional rider for $12 to $22 depending on age and date. Tickets are available in advance online at bycx.org or by calling (360) 686-3559. All seats reserved prior to departure date hold an inside seat if you choose; same-day tickets must be purchased at the station. Call for availability.
Battle Ground Annual Tree Lighting
Kick off the holiday season with Battle Ground’s Annual Holiday Tree Lighting on Friday, Dec. 6, at the Battle Ground Community Center located at 912 E Main St., Battle Ground. The free event begins outside at 5:30 p.m. with caroling and live music by the Battle Ground High School Jazz Choir. At 5:45, Santa and Mrs. Claus will be arriving via a Fire District 3 escort to lead the lighting of the tree. At 6 p.m., the celebration moves indoors where Santa and Mrs. Claus will be available to greet children and take professional photos for free. The holiday celebration includes festive treats such as hot cocoa and cookies.
Greater Vancouver Chamber of Commerce annual holiday luncheon
Food, drinks and good times are offered at the Greater Vancouver Chamber of Commerce annual holiday heroes luncheon on Dec. 6 at Warehouse ‘23. Starting at 11 a.m., the holiday heroes luncheon marks the end of the year with seasonal-themed raffle baskets, lunch for all in attendance and optional photos with Santa. The nonprofit recognized this year is Office Moms & Dads, a 501(c)3 created to provide resources and stability to foster children who have recently been removed from their homes. Office Moms & Dads will be accepting donations for their organization at the event and guests are encouraged to bring new children’s clothing for donation.
Tickets for the event are $65 for an individual ticket with VIP table pricing available. Visit bit.ly/GVCCLunch for more details and to purchase tickets. Warehouse ‘23 is located at 100 Columbia St. #102, Vancouver
Woodland Winter Festival
Get together for a night of holiday-themed fun in Woodland as the City of Woodland and the Woodland Moose Lodge #2394 present The Woodland Winter Festival at Horseshoe Lake Park. The fun begins at 5:30 p.m. as the Woodland High School Jazz band will be playing as the City of Woodland will be handing out special holiday spectacles at Hoffman Plaza in downtown Woodland. Miss Woodland and Santa will be lighting the community Christmas tree at 6 p.m. After the tree lighting, follow Santa down Candy Cane Lane through a winter wonderland to the pavilion at Horseshoe Lake Park where he and Mrs. Claus will hand out gifts. The event will have hot dogs, cookies, hot chocolate and hot coffee for everyone as the Woodland High School Choir Sings Christmas Carols from the gazebo. For more information contact the Woodland Moose Lodge #2394 any day of the week after 2 p.m. at (360) 225-7736.
Festival of Wreaths and Wine
The Battle Ground Rotary Club is presenting its first ever Festival of Wreaths and Wine on Saturday, Dec. 7. The event runs from 5 to 9 p.m. and will feature a raffle of one-of-a-kind wreaths as well as a wine tasting, light dinner and live music. All proceeds from the event will benefit the North County Community Food Bank, Just One Thing, Meals on Wheels and The Family Resource center. Tickets for the event are available through The Battle Ground Rotary Club’s Facebook page as well as at Main Street Floral Company, Legions Realty, Ink Ability or any other Rotary Club Member. This event is 21 and up only.
Venersborg Wreath Making Event
Skip the store and make some fresh holiday wreaths as the Venersborg Historic Preservation Society hosts its annual wreath making event. All materials to make the wreath will be provided free of charge at the event which takes place from 12 to 2 p.m. and 2 to 4 p.m. at the Venersborg School/Community Center located at 24309 NE 209th St., Battle Ground. Registration for the 12 to 2 p.m. or 2 to 4 p.m. times is required. Call (360) 687-0626 to register.
Performance of “The Nutcracker”
Danceworks, the largest dance studio in Vancouver, is set to stage a production of the holiday classic “The Nutcracker.” The production by Vancouver City Ballet with more than 100 student dancers will take place between Friday, Dec. 20, and Sunday, Dec. 22. Along with leaping ballerinas portraying snowflakes and flowers, acrobatics will be present.
This is the seventh year of “The Nutcracker” presented by Friends of Danceworks, the nonprofit arm of Danceworks/Vancouver City Ballet. Proceeds from the performance will go to Friends of Danceworks, which provides scholarships for local dancers.
Performances take place at Fort Vancouver High School, 5700 E 18th St., Vancouver at 7 p.m. on Dec. 20; 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Dec. 21; and 2 p.m. on Dec. 22. Tickets are $20 and can be purchased online at Danceworksper
formingarts.com
