Hometown Holiday

WAITSBURG - Volunteers from the Waitsburg Fire Department spent a good chunk of Thanksgiving weekend cutting down the com- munity Christmas Tree and setting it in its place of honor in front of the Plaza Theater on Main Street. They also decorated the Main Street light posts in preparation for Waitsburg's 28th annual Hometown Christmas event.

A tradition, by its very defini- tion, is born of sameness. And while Hometown Christmas always maintains the familiar comfort of a well-loved tradition, there's usually a twist or two to keep it fresh. Last year's event welcomed the first FFA sponsored Festival of Trees and this year introduces a Tack Swap at Town Hall.

While Hometown Christmas officially kicks off on Sunday, De- cember 8, revelers can get in the holiday spirit - and nab a turkey for Christmas dinner - at Turkey Bingo on Saturday afternoon. The Dec. 7 fundraiser is sponsored by Waitsburg American Legion Auxiliary Unit #35 and starts at 4 p.m. at Town Hall. Doors open at 3 p.m.

The doors to Town Hall will open again at noon on Sunday, when over 15 vendors will be selling baked goods, handcrafted items, jewelry, Christmas lace and more, until 4 p.m. Town Hall will also be home to the tack swap from noon to 3 p.m. Rain- bow Girls and Waitsburg Celebration Days Court will serve free refresh- ments.

Local musicians will provide entertainment from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Music students from Waitsburg schools will share their talents as soloists and in small groups, and Kate Hockersmith's bluegrass groups will perform as well.

Mr. and Mrs. Claus will be posing for pictures and handing out goodie bags at the Plaza Theater from 1:30 to 3 p.m. Pictures with Santa are free, and parents are welcome to take their own as well.

A drawing for prizes do- nated by Waitsburg, Dayton and Touchet Valley business- es will take place at 4 p.m. at Town Hall. The winners must be present to claim their prizes. At 4:30 p.m. FFA mem- bers will award the trophy to the Festival of Trees winner and the trees will be lit.

A lighted parade showcas- ing floats, bands, animals, vehicles and more will begin at 5 p.m. Weller Library will be open from 4:30 to 5:30 for parade-goers in need of a place to warm their hands or toes.

The celebration will wrap up with a tummy-warming chili and soup feed at Town Hall from 5:30 to 7 p.m. A mere three dollars will buy all-you-can-eat chili, chicken noodle soup, cornbread, cider, hot chocolate and coffee.

While Sunday night marks the end of the end of the official Hometown Christmas event, it's not the end of the community celebrations. The annual Waitsburg schools Christmas concert -- featur- ing four school bands -- takes place Monday, December 9 at 6:30 p.m. in the Waits- burg High School Audito- rium. The 5th graders will play their first band concert ever, with versions of "Jingle Bells", "Good King Wences- las", and other favorites. The sixth-grade band will present "Jingle Jolly Christmas", "Up on the Housetop", and a mysterious piece called "An- cient Hunters."

The Preston Hall Band will follow, performing "New World Symphony", "Wyn- dham Festival Overture", the beautiful "African Drum Carol" and "Good Time!" by Carly Rae Jepsen. The High School Band will per- form "Fanfare to the Unsung Hero", Kanye's "All of the Lights", Leroy Anderson's "Sleigh Ride", as well as "And All the Bells Shall Ring".

The festivities come to a close on Wednesday, Dec. 11 with Kid's Night to Shop at Town Hall from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Vendors will be selling gift items priced at $10 or less, and children can receive help shopping for and wrapping gifts for friends and family.