The Times - Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley

DAYTON - A thin overcast sky and mild temperatures in the 40s greeted an influx of tourists and locals alike during the first day of the Dayton Christmas Kickoff celebration Friday in "The Town That Still Believes."

The Dayton Chamber of Commerce's annual event brought people from as far away as the Tri-Cities, Spokane and Yakima to participate in the family-friendly activities and to take advantage of the Christmas sales that peppered the downtown core.

Gunnar and Danika Gaethle spent a few minutes visiting with Santa Claus at Santa's workshop in the old Criss Furniture building on Main Stree...