Lighted parade and trees to be featured in Washougal

Christmas will be in the air this weekend, with the second annual “Washougal Festival of Trees,” as well as a parade and tree lighting ceremony.

The trees will be on display Friday, from 3 to 8 p.m., and Saturday, from 2 to 5 p.m., at Washougal Town Square, 1700 Main St., in downtown Washougal. During that time, silent auction bids can be made on the decorated trees as well as wreaths and baskets. Winners will be notified by phone.

The lighted Christmas parade will form at 24th and Main streets Friday, at 5:30 p.m. There will be judging and awards for “Best use of lights,” “Best use of music” and “Santa’s best overall.”

The parade will begin at 6 p.m., and travel west on Main Street to Pendleton Way, where it will turn left and disband in the Pendleton Woolen Mills parking lot. There will be a reviewing stand with an announcer at Reflection Plaza, and pianist Barbara Curry will perform Christmas carols.

The parade is sponsored by Waste Connections and Columbia Resource Company.

Immediately following the parade, Santa will help light the community Christmas Tree and he will stay for pictures with children.

Santa will also serve as the auctioneer as one of the decorated trees will be auctioned off right after the tree lighting ceremony. Coffee and hot chocolate will be provided by Starbucks. Cookies from Papa’s Ice Cream will be served, compliments of Waste Connections.

All proceeds from the Festival of Trees will be donated to Washougal schools. There are 16 trees, donated by Washougal River Christmas Trees and decorated by school booster clubs, businesses, churches and organizations in the community.

The festival is sponsored by the Washougal Lions Club.

More than 30 donated gift baskets, with a total value in excess of $2,000, will be available for bidding or up for raffle.

“This effort by the Washougal Lions and downtown businesses is dedicated to helping our schools in a time of shortage of resources for students,” said Tree Festival committee chairman and past Washougal Lions Club president Chuck Carpenter. “Last year, the festival raised almost $2,500 for Washougal schools, and this year we hope to double that amount.”

For more information about the Festival of Trees, contact Carpenter at 335-1947 or Washougalchuck@gmail.com. For additional information about the parade, call City Hall at 835-8501 or visit www.cityofwashougal.us.