West End residents are starting the holiday season with a Christmas fund-raiser, a new parade based around twinkling lights, a “moonlight madness” sale, a holiday-theme play, a Christmas tree festival and a visit from Santa Claus.
Today, the Quileute tribe and the city of Forks are holding The Healing Circle, a fund-raiser to benefit both communities’ needy children.
All money will be split equally between the Forks and LaPush communities.
“Everyone is really excited about this event because it is the first co-hosting effort between the communities,” said Pat Soderlind, Forks city events coordinator.
“It is going to be a real exchange of culture between the tribe, the Latino community and the Forks community.”
The event will begin at 11 a.m. at A-Ka-Lat Center, located just off state Highway 110 on Ravens Crest Road in LaPush. The Forks Chamber of Commerce will convene its weekly luncheon meeting at the A-Ka-Lat about noon.
The public event will include a variety of food booths, a silent auction, a live auction, raffles and T-shirt sales. Tickets are $10 per person.
Performances scheduled
Performances from Forks-based groups, such as the Forks Community Orchestra, also will be included.
The Quileute Drum Group and members of the Latino community will begin performing at 5 p.m.
A public dinner will follow the performances and is available for a nominal fee.
Another community event occurring this week is the eighth annual Festival of Trees.
The event, sponsored by Soroptimist International of the Olympic Rain Forest, unofficially began Tuesday with volunteers decorating trees.
The trees will be on display at the Bank of America branch in Forks during bank hours Thursday and Friday. No admission will be charged for viewing.
A formal viewing with community musical performances will begin at 1 p.m. on Sunday.
“It is a community event that captures the Christmas spirit,” said Jamie Leinan, public relations chair for Soroptimist International of the Olympic Rain Forest.
Trees to be auctioned
An auction for the 16 trees and wreaths will begin at 2 p.m.
This year 18 businesses or individuals sponsored the trees, including Bank of America in Forks and Clallam Bay, Sterling Savings Bank, First Federal Savings and Loan, Forks Thrifty Mart, United Country-Evergreen Properties, Portac Inc., Sol Duc Clinic, Decker Construction, Bill’s Texaco and Food Mart, Chinook Pharmacy and Variety, West Waste and Recycling, Ron’s Food Mart, Lloyd George Jewelers, Dr. John Shima, Whitehead’s Auto Parts Inc., Allen Logging Co., Dahlgren Logging Co. and Baron Construction.
A silent auction for various items will also occur between 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. Refreshments are available by donation.
Trees will be judged by the Far West Art League, and a public judging award will also be given.
Proceeds from tree sales will benefit local Soroptimist projects including scholarship funds, cultural events and grants for children to attend summer camps.
Inaugural parade
On Friday, the first Twinkle Light Holiday Parade will be held at 6:30 p.m. along South Forks Avenue through downtown Forks.
The parade is sponsored by JT’s Sweet Stuffs, 120 S. Forks Ave.
The parade is open to all participants, and a light source of some type is needed to join the procession.
Janet Hughes, owner of JT’s Sweet Stuffs, said a visit from Santa Claus on a lighted sleigh will be a highlight of the parade.
The road, which is U.S. Highway 101, will be closed between C Street and Sol Duc Way.
The parade will kick off the annual Moonlight Madness sale, which will occur from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m.
Outdoor vendors and performers are also expected to create a holiday ambiance .
Performances of “My Three Angels” by the Rain Forest Players will also be given Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
The play will be performed at the Rain Forest Arts Center, 35 N. Forks Ave., and tickets are available at the door for $6.