The town of Yacolt will host its annual Christmas tree lighting festival from 4 to 6 p.m., Sun., Dec. 7, outside the Yacolt Town Hall, 202 W. Cushman St.
A longstanding tradition in the Yacolt community, the annual celebration kick starts the winter holiday season with a tree lighting, the arrival of Santa on a fire engine, live music, pictures with Santa for the youngsters and a bevy of hot cocoa, coffee, brownies and cookies to bolster energy.
“The citizens really like it,” said Yacolt Mayor Jeff Carothers of the annual festival. “And it’s been going on for a long time.”
With a population of just a little more than 1,500 people, Yacolt may not always get the recognition that other Clark County towns and cities receive, but the town does have bragging rights when it comes to its Christmas festival — Yacolt’s giant Doug Fir Christmas tree, which stands at 130 feet, is one of the largest living Christmas trees in the nation (top honors go to Coeur d’Alene, Idaho’s enormous 160-foot living Christmas tree).
The festivities kick off at 4 p.m., with Santa arriving soon after on a fire engine. The Battle Ground High School Choir will entertain the crowd with classic Christmas carols.
Santa will be available for photos with the children. The cost of each photo is $5 but there is a $2.50 discount for anyone who donates to the town’s fundraising event for the Northwest Battle Buddies.
Organizers are trying to collect 80,000 pounds of textiles (blankets, towels, wash cloths, hats, coats, curtains, sleeping bags, sheets, etc.) to support the donation of a service dog to a deserving Veteran. The town organizers are asking that textile donations brought to the tree lighting event be brought in 13-gallon garbage bags.
For more information about the textile donation project, visit www.townofyacolt.com and click on “Team Yacolt, Giving the Gift of a Service Dog.”
