Holiday events kick into high gear this week in Camas-Washougal area

Hometown Holidays, Washougal parade, lighted Christmas ships and the Festival of Trees among events planned

By Doug Flanagan, Kelly Moyer
December 5, 2024 3:28 pm
Camas, Latest News, Life, News, Washougal

Fireworks accompany the tree-lighting ceremony at the 2018 Camas Hometown Holidays celebration. This year's festival begins at 5 p.m. Friday, Dec. 6, in downtown Camas. (Post-Record file photo)

The winter holiday season kicks into high gear this week with a wide assortment of festive events happening in Camas and Washougal.

First up is the annual Christmas Parade and Tree Lighting event in downtown Washougal, which kicks off at 5 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 5, with more than 50 floats and a local Christmas tree donated by the Get To-Gather Farm in Washougal.

City of Washougal leaders have promised that “this year’s parade is going to be bigger and better than ever.”

Photos with Santa Claus will be available from 5 to 6 p.m. The parade begins in downtown Washougal at 6 p.m. and the tree lighting ceremony will take place at 6:45 p.m., following the parade, in Reflection Plaza, 1703 Main St., Washougal.

The Washougal High School band and choir will perform during the event, and the City will provide cookies and hot cocoa during and after the parade.

Hometown Holidays, tree lighting in downtown Camas set for Friday, Dec. 6

Next up is the Hometown Holidays event in downtown Camas, which begins at 5 p.m. Friday, Dec. 6, with the annual lighting of the tree outside Liberty Theatre at 315 N.E. Fourth Ave., and continues through 8 p.m. that evening with entertainment provided by school and community choirs, school bands and student dancers, photos with Santa Claus (bring a camera), street food vendors, extended shopping and dining hours at participating merchants and crafts for children.

The Friends and Foundation of the Camas Library will hold its annual winter book sale in conjunction with the Hometown Holidays event coordinated and hosted by Camas Parks and Recreation.

The book sale will take place Thursday through Sunday, Dec. 5-8, in the library’s second-story meeting rooms, at 625 N.E. Fourth Ave., in downtown Camas.

For more information, visit camaslibraryfriends.org/book-sales.

The Hometown Holidays event, held in conjunction with the Downtown Camas Association’s monthly First Friday festivities, is free and open to all, thanks to the financial support of Columbia Credit Union, Windermere Camas, iQ Credit Union, Downtown Camas Association, Lutz Hardware and in-kind donors and volunteers. In addition, various restaurants and food vendors will be open to purchase food.

The Camas School District will provide a free parking shuttle from 4:30 to 8:30 p.m. Friday, with four color-coded parking lots within one mile of downtown Camas available for people to leave their vehicles behind and arrive in the heart of downtown Camas between Camas City Hall and the Camas library. For more information, visit cityofcamas.us/parksrec and click on the “Special Events” tab.

For more Hometown Holidays event details, visit cityofcamas.us/parksrec/page/hometown-holidays-2024

Christmas ships return to Washougal waterfront

The annual Christmas Ships parade will make its way to Washougal this weekend, with boats decked out in lights for the winter holiday season setting sail from Parker’s Landing Marina at 6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7.

The combined Columbia-Willamette fleet will assemble in front of the Port of Camas-Washougal office and parade in the area for about one hour. The office will be closed, but spectators can watch from Washougal Waterfront Park and Marina Park.

For more information, visit christmasships.org.

Washougal tree festival returns this weekend

The Washougal School Foundation will hold its annual Festival of Trees from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 6, and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7, at Hathaway Elementary School.

The event will feature Christmas trees decorated by school and community groups, gift baskets, and other items, all which will be auctioned off to the highest bidder.

The net proceeds from the festival are distributed to support activities at each of the Washougal schools through booster groups and other organizations supporting enrichment for students, according to the event’s website.

Each tree is fully trimmed with lights and decorations, and “everyone is sure to find something that they’re excited to display,” according to a news release.

“We are excited to welcome everyone to this year’s event, which is a great event that brings our community together and shows the true spirit of Washougal,” said event co-chair Nell Perry. “The Festival of Trees is such a fun way to spend time with friends and family, get holiday shopping done, and enjoy the magic of the season of giving. We’re excited to see everyone there.”

The event will also feature Santa Claus photos, available from 10 a.m. to noon and 1 to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 7, and breakfast, prepared and served by Washougal High School Skills Culinary and Beyond Club students for $5 per plate, from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Dec. 7.

For more information visit sites.google.com/site/washougalfestival treeswebsite/.

Motocross park hosts light display

The Washougal MX Park is hosting its fourth annual “Holidays in the Hills” event, with tours running from 5:30 to 10 p.m. every Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday through Dec. 24.

“We are so excited to be offering our drive-through park light display,” the park’s website states. “We are here to bring on the holiday cheer and lift your spirits. Come with family, friends and together enjoy some quality time with one another. This is a great experience for all ages to enjoy and provides you with good quality time with loved ones.”

Park manager Ryan Huffman and his family members have decorated the 150-acre park with a variety of holiday themed lighted displays, which can be viewed via a 1-mile looped drive.

Tickets for the tour cost $15 for one trip and $25 for two trips.

Tickets can be purchased online at washougalmxpark.com/holidays-in-the-hills.

‘Jolly Gathering’ planned for Dec. 7 at Washougal farm

Get To-Gather Farm in Washougal will host a “Jolly Gathering” event from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7.

The event will feature hayrides, Santa Claus photos, chestnuts roasting on an open fire, a s’mores station, hot cocoa, carols and more.

“Turns out (Santa) often grazes his reindeer in our area because of the superior grass, and when he found out we were all-organic, he made plans (to visit),” said Get To-Gather Farm owner John Spencer.

Santa photo packages start at $16. Hayrides will cost $5 per person.

For more information, visit gettogatherfarm.com. The farm is located at 1919 S.E. 303rd Ave., in Washougal.

Discovery High to host ‘Maker Market’ Dec. 12

Students from Discovery High School in Camas will host a Maker Market and student exhibition from 4 to 6 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 12, at the high school, 5125 Nan Henriksen Way, Camas.

The event will feature custom products for sale and projects on display, including birdhouses, T-shirts, bat houses, cutting boards, mugs, sun catchers and coasters.

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