The Times - Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley

DAYTON - This is still the little town that believes in kicking off the holiday season with an old-fash- ioned Christmas celebration on the weekend following Thanksgiving.

This year the festivities have been extended to cover two full days, with fireworks on Friday, November 29, at 7 p.m. and the lighted parade down Main Street on Satur- day at 6 p.m.

"Merchants and visitors have expressed an interest in turning Christmas Kickoff into a true two-day event," said Dayton Chamber of Commerce Director Brad McMasters. "It was sug- gested that we separate the fireworks and the parade. The committee chose to move the parade in hopes of getting more participants - with all day Saturday to finish preparing floats."

A large part of the cham- ber's funding comes from a city lodging tax and therefore must be spent to attract more overnight guests to Dayton, McMasters said. The committee hopes that spreading major events out over Friday and Saturday will help with that.

Also happening down- town Saturday, at 3 p.m. and at 7 p.m., is the live theater production of Peter Pan: The Musical, at the Liberty Theater. Despite concerns about parking and parade traffic, McMasters said visi- tors shouldn't experience any problems because of the timing of each event.

And for those who are worried about the fireworks display for Christmas Kickoff, McMasters has good news. "We will be returning to traditional, outdoor fire- works this year," he said.

The fireworks discharged during All-Wheels Week- end, in June, were for indoor use (called proximate fire- works). They were selected because the launch site was so close to the new Best Western hotel on the hill at the east end of town, Mc- Masters said.

But the chamber and fireworks sponsor Pacific Power, working with Co- lumbia County Fire District 3 and the pyrotechnicians, have secured a new site for launching fireworks - on Knob Hill, on the east edge of town near one of the city's water towers.

As for the other dozens of activities and events sched- uled for Kickoff, attendees can expect the return of perennial favorites as well as new surprises.

Free mule-drawn hay- rides through historic Dayton will leave the Depot peri- odically between 12:30-3:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday This year, Mule Mania spon- sors have added a second mule team to the event.

Santa will greet children in his downtown workshop at 164 E Main Street again this year, between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. both Friday and Saturday. McMasters said Santa had photos taken with nearly 200 youngsters last year.

The popular Craft Bazaar will be both Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. at 112 S. First Street. Last year visitors were treated to nearly 30 vendors, accord- ing to McMasters.

The Blue Mountain Heritage Society's Smith Hollow School, located at N. First Street and E. Commercial, will have its grand opening during this festive weekend.

The Live Nativity behind Dingle's, at 179 E Main Street, will take place both Friday and Saturday at 5 p.m., with Waitsburg's Izzy the Camel making an appearance for both showings.

Also on both Friday and Saturday, many of Dayton's downtown businesses will provide open houses, re- freshments and extra-long hours. Shoppers take note - Dayton has two new re- tailers downtown this year with The Inner Groove of- fering records, instruments and other music, as well as Adana, selling antiques and collectables along with its own line of clothing.

Looking for even more shopping? Try the Christmas Market at the Depot, 22 E Commercial Street, with holiday stories and crafts on the second floor for children.

Want to know even more? Go online to the Dayton Chamber of Commerce's website at www.historic- dayton.com, where you can view a full schedule of events.