PORT TOWNSEND — While many people will procure holiday gifts through the mail and from the mall, this weekend’s Port Townsend celebration offers a slice of small-town life.
This includes a gift-giving process that doesn’t promote shopping for its own sake, according to Mari Mullen, executive director of the Port Townsend Main Street program.
“Gift-giving is about showing you care about your family and friends,” she said.
“When you shop and dine locally, you show that you care about your community.”
Mullen said the holidays emphasize this connection, keeping traditions, sharing the fun of living in a small town.
“Your friends and neighbors are the shopkeepers,” she said.
“They know what you like and who your children are.”
Santa’s arrival
It isn’t Christmas without Santa, and he will make his entrance at 4:30 p.m. Saturday at Haller Fountain, arriving in a fire engine accompanied by Port Townsend Mayor Michelle Sandoval.
His arrival will begin the annual community tree-lighting ceremony.
Downtown merchants are participating in a sweepstakes sponsored by First Federal, with two $500 shopping-spree gift certificates to be awarded to the winner of the drawing.
Anyone wishing to enter can do so at any of the participating merchants (a complete list is available at http://tinyurl.com/7z4hnbx) before noon Saturday.
The winning names will be drawn at 5 p.m., right after the tree-lighting service.
The sweepstakes is open to anyone older than 18. The winner must be present to get the prizes.
Taylor Street will be closed to traffic Saturday afternoon for the tree-lighting and the sweepstakes.
The tree-lighting service is bracketed by other downtown activities.
Christmas spirit gets started in the afternoon as the Wild Rose Chorale carols in the streets from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Following the tree-lighting service, the monthly First Saturday Gallery Walk will take place from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
An original dramatic program, “Robert Weiser, A Master of Whimsy,” a free program by local actors, will be presented by the Port Townsend Arts Commission from 7:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Cotton Building, 607 Water St.
14 scheduled performances
While Saturday is a special night, it is only one of 14 scheduled performances of “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever,” an annual event presented by the Key City Public Theatre, 419 Washington St.
The play tells the story of a hometown church that is struggling to put on the traditional Christmas pageant, complete with haloed angels, bathrobe shepherds and a baby-doll Jesus, but the celebration is jeopardized by a family of poor children who lie, cheat and steal and who have never been to church.
Curtain times are Wednesdays and Thursdays at 7 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m., with matinees Sundays at 2:30 p.m., plus the family show matinee at 2:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 17.
General admission is $20 Fridays and Saturdays, $18 Thursdays and Sundays, with students $10.
For more information about the presentation, visit http://tinyurl.com/89mm6sh.
After Saturday’s celebration, many downtown stores will stay open later than their normal business hours.
Mullen expects all this activity to add up to a successful holiday season.
“The fourth quarter of the year is crucial for our small merchants when locals’ and visitors’ support is a gift that spreads throughout the rest of the year by providing jobs and supporting a vibrant, healthy community,” Mullen said.
“Local businesses support other local businesses, sales tax helps our city run effectively, and our business mix reflects our culture.”
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Jefferson County Reporter Charlie Bermant can be reached at 360-385-2335 or at charlie.bermant@peninsuladailynews.com.
