Kickoff Bigger Than Ever

DAYTON - The annual Christmas Kickoff returns to Dayton with a schedule so massive, even the Grinch would have to smile.

Every year, the Dayton community wastes no time af- ter Thanksgiving, opening the event on Friday, Nov. 23, at 10 a.m. with free make-and-take crafts for kids, a Christmas market at the Dayton Historic Depot and local artists, photography, pottery and live mu- sic at the Village Shoppes. As the weekend continues, more events and venues will help get the community in a festive Christmas mood.

Chamber of Commerce Director Brad McMasters said there has been a lot of concern about the fireworks show, which usually blasts off from the northeast corner of Fourth Street and Main Street, but is now the location of the new Best Western hotel. McMasters said the fireworks show will still happen and after working with the construc- tion group building the Best Western and Seneca, they were able to find a nearby location to launch the fireworks.

" We found a location slightly north of the previ- ous location (to launch the fireworks)," McMasters said. "(The fireworks) will still rain over the courthouse."

There will be a lot for people to get excited about, from mule-drawn hay rides to a black Friday fix in local shops.

"Lots of businesses down- town are participating," Mc- Masters said.

McMasters said there will also be a lot of live music to listen to hosted at the local businesses.

The community-wide par- ticipation helps make the event fun to attend, McMasters said.

"My favorite has always been the open houses, walk- ing down the street, smiling at people, walking into business- es and grabbing a cookie and saying hello," McMasters said. "It just feels like community."

McMasters said he is happy to have so much participation from the community adding that while the event is cham- ber-driven, the community is coming together and helping to work on all aspects of it.

McMasters said he is also happy to be continuing the community Christmas tree again this year. The tree tradi- tion had been suspended for several years and restarted last year in the Elk Drug parking lot. The tree is in the Elk Drug parking lot again this year, donated by Broughton Land Company, decorated by Day- ton Elementary School students and powered by Pacific Power's Blue Sky Renewable Energy Program.

Christmas Kickoff will also bring the renewal of another formerly suspended event, story time at the depot.

Depot Manager Mary Byrd said she is most looking for- ward to the story time and paper chain making event where volunteer Ileen Patrick will read stories to children in the period restored bedroom upstairs at the depot. Story time and paper chain making for kids will take place from 11 a.m. to noon and again from 2 to 4 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 23, at the depot.

Byrd said the depot will serve as a hub for other events and sales as well. This year, Dayton High School's FFA group will make wreaths that will be for sale at the depot.

"Hopefully the story time and the wreaths will (continue to be part of Christmas Kickoff)," Byrd said.

The depot will also have bean stew prepared by Dayton's Philanthropic Educational Organization (PEO) as well as nuts provided by Waitsburg's PEO for sale.

Additionally, the depot will have L&B wheat berry chili, Octopus Gardens honey and Granola Girl products for sale, Byrd said.

"The depot has traditionally sold homemade candy and we will continue that this year," Byrd said. "It's a hit."

As always, Byrd said there will be locally made artisan gifts for sale upstairs in the depot including handspun wool items, pottery, jewelry, Lavender R Us items, quilted items, local art, local greeting cards and birdhouses made by Papa John. The museum shop will also be open.