The Times - Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley

DAYTON-The City of Dayton bills itself as "The Town That Still Believes."

For the past decade, business owners and community members have come together to bring an old-fashioned Christmas celebration to life, with Christmas Kick-off. This year Christmas Kick-off, put on by the Dayton Chamber of Commerce, will be Friday and Saturday, Nov. 25 and 26.

From the time retail shops open at 10 a.m. Friday until the close of the day on Saturday, there will be many fun-filled activities for everyone, including roving carolers, live music, hayrides, a lighted parade, fireworks, and a 5k ugly sweater dash.

"Plus all the shops and eateries are staying open late," said Chamber Director Andrew Holt.

Mule drawn hayrides will depart from the Dayton Historic Depot beginning at 12:30 p.m. on both days, weather permitting, Holt said.

A camel, a miniature horse, and "other manger friends" are participating in a live nativity, which can be seen at its usual place behind Dingle's on Friday, at 4 p.m., and, again, at 5 p.m.

Children can visit Santa at Santa's House at 242 E. Main Street, next to Rey's Roast Coffee, from 10 a.m. until noon, and from 1:15 p.m. until 3 p.m. on both days.

The Gingerbread Gallery is also at Santa's House, from 1 - 5:30 p.m. on both days.

A free showing of the movie "Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory" will be at the Liberty Theater on Friday at 1 p.m., 3:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.

Tractors, four wheelers, combines, the Boldman House float, Snapdragon float, and other vehicles, fully decked out in lighted holiday attire, will turn out for the 5th Annual Lighted Parade an Friday, at 6 p.m. on Main Street.

Immediately following the lighted parade, join with others around the Christmas tree at Elk Drug for a tree-lighting ceremony, carols, and singing led by Makenna Barron.

Then find a good vantage point for viewing the fireworks display, which will be lit from the "watertower hill", Holt said.

Tamara Fritze, manager of the The Dayton Historic Depot, said the Depot will open at 10 a.m. Friday and Saturday, and will remain open until 5 p.m. both days. Artisan food vendors, traditional candy and handcrafted items will be on sale in the Depot, along with vintage items and Christmas gifts in the gift shop. On Friday, model trains will be running in the gallery upstairs from 10:00 a. m. until 12:00 p. m., and from 1 p. m., until 3 p. m.

Also, the FFA will be selling poinsettias and wreaths in the courtyard at the Depot.

Free nose flutes for children, old fashioned annual poppy seeds, along with Boldman family recipes, are offered to visitors at the Boldman House.

St. Joseph's Church in Dayton is selling holiday crafts at the parish from noon to 6 p.m. on both days.

The Best Western Hotel in Dayton is having a bake sale on Friday and Saturday, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. A throw blanket will also be raffled, and proceeds from the sale and raffle will go toward the purchase of food items and other necessities for needy families in the Dayton School District.

Christmas Kick-off promises to be musical, too.

Listen to the sounds of Freddie and Friends at Woody's Bar and Grill, from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. on Friday. On Saturday, at 9:00 p.m., there will be karaoke.

The Weinhard Hotel will host a sing-a-long in the lobby on Friday after the fireworks.

At the Boldman House on Friday from 1 to 3 p. m., and Saturday, from 1 - 2 p.m., listen to Christmas music provided by local pianists.

Marcus Mead and the Bankers will play on the Main Street Soundstage on Friday at 4:30 p.m., followed by Framing Fables, at 7:00 p.m.

On Saturday, Paul "the UPS guy" Hodgins, the Waitsburg high school band, and others will play between 11:00 a.m., and 3:00 p.m.

Christmas Kick-off at the Wenaha Gallery includes a reception for artists Lynn Gardner and Sonya Glaus, on Friday, from 3 to 7 p.m. On Saturday, celebrate the Wenaha Gallery's 23rd anniversary with specials, and live music, from 9 a.m. to close.

On Friday, the Dayton Backroads Club is sponsoring a 5k Ugly Sweater Dash, starting at the courthouse. Registration begins at 10 a.m., and the fee is $15. The race starts at 11 a.m. participants will receive $5 in Dayton Dollars from the Chamber of Commerce, and there is a prize for the ugliest sweater.

Also on Friday, hop on a Columbia County Transit bus at Elk Drug between 2 and 5 p.m. and head over to Dayton General Hospital. Visitors will meet up with some of the hospital board commissioners and staff for a guided tour of the new physical therapy department and see the new physical therapy pool.

Finally, don't forget to buy your tickets to the Touchet Valley Arts Council fall musical production of "A Christmas Story." Showings are Saturday at 3 p.m., and, again, at 7 p.m.

Christmas Kick-off began as a way to bring people to the area, fill stores with shoppers and create a fun event for everyone.

"Being exposed to the charm of small town life holds quite an appeal for people," Holt said. "It has been very successful.

To enter your gingerbread house for display in the Gingerbread Gallery, or to enter the Lighted Parade contact the Dayton Chamber of Commerce at 382-4825.