Hometown Christmas

"It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas, every­where you go." Do you know what that means? Christmas is right around the corner and Waitsburg's 25th annual Hometown Christmas is just down the road. Mark your calendars for Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 4-5.

You may have heard through the grapevine that this year's cherished event will be held back in Ye Towne Hall in downtown Waitsburg.

Last year, during renova­tion, the event was moved to the elementary school. But its back this weekend in its original location down­town, confirmed Ruth Peter­son, committee chare of the Waitsburg Commercial Club.

"Being back in the town hall will go so much better," Peterson said. "Everyone is more familiar with the town hall, and it's a much bigger facility." Our little town will be busy over the weekend. Visi­tors are encouraged to bring their families and friends of all ages downtown beginning Saturday afternoon for the American Legion Auxiliary's Turkey Bingo at 4 p.m. at Ye Towne Hall.

Turkeys and other prizes will be given away. Each bingo game will be named in honor or memory of a Waits­burg veteran.

The following day, Sun­day, activities will start noon in town hall. Venders will be set up waiting for shoppers to come and see what they have to offer. Santa Claus himself will make a jolly appearance Sunday beginning at 1:30 p.m. Parents should bring a camera. Students from Waitsburg will sing Christmas carols through the afternoon. Free coffee and cookies will be offered by the local Rainbow Girls until 3:30 p.m.

Directly after, organiz­ers will have a drawing for gifts and prizes donated by Waitsburg, Dayton and Walla Walla merchants.

Tickets for the drawing are available at any local store; with every $5 purchase shoppers will receive one ticket. You must be present at the drawing to win. The parade of lights will start at 5 p.m. on the north side on Main Street. Visi­tors should dress warmly as parade organizers anticipate many floats. After the parade, guests may head down to the Towne Hall for a chili feed; bowls are $2 each.