Homes for the holidays

Tickets for the self-guided home tour are $20 and can be purchased online at www.downtowncamas.com, at The Uncommon Gift, 407 N.E. Fourth Ave., Camas; or at the Camas Hotel, 405 N.E. Fourth Ave. Tickets for the Farrell House event are $25.

The homes will be open for the tour from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 3, and from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 4. The Farrell House event begins at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 2.

As people begin decking out their homes for the holidays, they’ll have the opportunity to glean ideas from four elaborately decorated residences in the Camas area.

These are a part of the third-annual Holiday Home Tour, which benefits the Downtown Camas Association and Soroptimist International of Camas-Washougal.

Karen Hall, co-owner of the Camas Hotel, is the event chairwoman.

“I love this event,” she said. “I love the festive spirit of it, and the fact that people get a chance to see a home all decked out. It just gives them a good holiday feeling.”

Hall decided to add a Friday event to the home tour at the historical Farrell House in downtown Camas. There, owner Heidi Curley will discuss the recently completed renovation and give tours. Wine and appetizers will be served.

“Since there has been a historical renovation, I thought it would be nice to have a night for people interested in that,” she said. “In addition to wine and appetizers, her architect Michael Lewellen and designer Julie Nolta will be there.”

Hall said she tries to select a variety of different homes for the tour. This year’s choices include Classic, Greek Revival and Craftsman styles.

“These beautiful homes are very diverse,” Hall said. “I like the fact that it raises money for the DCA and it’s fun for everyone who does it.”

Members of the local Soroptimist International will serve as docents at each of the homes.

“We’re very thankful for them and enjoy sharing the proceeds,” she said. “We are happy to support them.”

Hall added that those who participate in the home tour can expect to have a great time.

“They see four beautiful homes that are really decked out,” she said. “It’s fun to go with a friend and a wonderful thing to share with family. It makes for a festive day, and you can finish it with shopping or a bite to eat in downtown Camas.”