PORT ANGELES — The Port Angeles Downtown Association and the Festival of Trees Committee are joining forces to present entertainment over the Thanksgiving weekend.
“For those people who want to stay in town and have their photo taken with Santa, enjoy many types of entertainment for adults and kids, and shop, Port Angeles will be the place to be that weekend,” said Young Johnson, president of the downtown association.
The combined effort will begin the morning of Friday, Nov. 25, with the annual Teddy Bear Tea presented by First Federal, which will have two sittings as part of Festival of Trees at 10 a.m. and noon at the Vern Burton Community Center, 308 E. Fourth St., Port Angeles..
This event kicks off the weekend and invites children and parents to enjoy live entertainment, holiday refreshments, and visits from Santa.
The Festival of Trees Gala presented by Sequim Health and Rehabilitation, which will feature the auctioning of more than 50 Christmas trees at the Vern Burton Center, will be held at 5:30 p.m. that day, followed by the first ever “After Hours” Festival of Trees event.
It will be sponsored by the downtown association, and gala attendees and the public at large will be invited to enjoy music of all types at several downtown restaurants and bars starting at 9:30 p.m.
They will include Bada Northwest, Barhop Brewing, Bar N9NE, Bella Italia, H20 Restaurant (featuring Fat Chance), The Metta Room, Next Door Gastropub, Strait Slice Pizza, Station 51 and Wine on the Waterfront.
“There are many people who come home for the holiday weekend. This will be a great time for many of them to get together downtown and visit with friends that they haven’t seen in awhile,” said Bruce Skinner, foundation executive director.
The Senior Breakfast — presented by The Lodge at Sherwood Village, Fifth Avenue Retirement and Sherwood Assisted Living — will be at 8:30 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 26, at the Vern Burton Community Center, 308 E. Fourth St.
That will be followed by Family Days, when members of the public can view decorated trees and wreaths for $5 each. Family Days are set from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Nov. 26 and again from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 27.
Family Days will feature photos with Santa, entertainment and the opportunity to view the fabulously decorated trees and wreaths.
“Every age group comes to Family Days,” said Cookie Kalfur, who is chair of the event. “It has plenty of activities for kids and families.
On Saturday, immediately following Family Days, the downtown association will present several events in downtown Port Angeles.
The third annual Snowball Drop will feature pingpong balls labeled with merchant prizes and discounts from all over Port Angeles falling from the sky for a scramble.
It will be held in the sunken parking lot on Front Street between Laurel and Oak next door to Station 51 with the assistance of Port Angeles Fire Department volunteers.
The Hometown Holiday Main Show will begin at 3:30 p.m. on Laurel Street, featuring singer Amanda Bacon, followed by the arrival of Santa and the lighting of the community’s holiday tree at 5 p.m.
“This will be the perfect time for people to witness the transformation of downtown first-hand,” Skinner said.
Here is the schedule:
Friday, Nov. 25
• Teddy Bear Tea, 10 a.m. and noon, Vern Burton Community Center; visits from Santa and Mrs. Claus. $10 per person.
• Festival of Trees Gala, 5:30 p.m., Vern Burton Center; decorated trees, gourmet buffet and a live and silent auction; $100 per person.
• Festival of Trees After Hours Event, 9:30 p.m. at downtown restaurants and bars; live music at several establishments.
Saturday, Nov. 26
• Senior Breakfast, 8:30 a.m., Vern Burton; tree viewing and sit-down breakfast; $12 per person.
• Family Days, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Vern Burton Center; public viewing of decorated trees, wreaths, photos with Santa, holiday music; $5 per person, free for children younger than 8.
• Hometown Holiday Main Show, 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m., Laurel and First streets; Santa arrives and community tree is lighted. Downtown activities also include the third annual Snowball Drop on Front Street between Laurel and Oak streets.
Sunday, Nov. 27
• Family Days, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Tickets for all Festival of Trees events are available at the Olympic Medical Center Foundation office at 1015 Georgiana St. in Port Angeles.
For more information, visit www.omhf.org, call 360-417-7144, or email jeremy@omhf.org.
