WAITSBURG – Fire department volunteers and FFA members have already been busy preparing Main Street for this weekend's Hometown Christmas 30th anniversary. Groups and individuals work together to create the two-day event filled with fun activities for the entire family – a perfect example of small-town life at its finest.

Earlier this week, fire department volunteers and FFA kids began hanging wreathes and garland on Main Street, and stringing lights and setting out trees for the FFA's Festival of Trees. The trees will be decorated by community groups to be displayed on Main Street throughout December. Community members can vote on their favorite tree at Town Hall during Hometown Christmas weekend.

The fire department has traditionally cut and placed the town Christmas tree. This year's tree is a majestic Blue Spruce, donated by Jose and Carla Mercado. Each year, Pacific Power brings a bucket truck to string the lights and to hang the ornaments made by elementary school students.

This year, new-to-town Banner Bank is kicking off the celebration with an open house from 1-4 p.m. on Fri., Dec. 4.

Saturday

Town Hall will open its doors to the public at 9 a.m. on Sat., Dec. 5. Gleason's Galley will serve breakfast and lunch and vendors will man tables filled with treats, handcrafted goods, gift items, and other wares until 4 p.m.

New events this year include a cookie exchange and a children's cookie decorating workshop. From 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, community members are invited to bring two dozen of one kind of cookie and exchange them for two dozen of assorted varieties.

From 11a.m. – 1 p.m. children are invited to visit Town Hall for a cookie decorating workshop. Supplies and cookies will be furnished and each child will live with some cookies to take home (or eat)!

At 4 p.m. the American Legion Auxiliary Unit #35 will host its Turkey Bingo fundraiser at the Waitsburg Elementary Multipurpose Room. Doors to this popular event open at 3 p.m.

Sunday

Vendors will return to Town Hall on Sunday and local bluegrass groups and student musicians will provide entertainments throughout the day. Bluegrass Kids will perform from noon - 12:30 p.m., Switchgrass from 12:30-1 p.m., Kuykendall Kids from 1-1:30 p.m., followed by K-12 musicians performing solo and ensemble pieces. Gleason's Galley will again be available for breakfast and lunch.

Santa will make a special appearance the Plaza Theater from 1-3 p.m. on Sunday and children are encouraged to stop in and say "hello." They will enjoy a special visit with Santa as well as a free goodie bag and photo to capture the memory.

At 3:30 community members will want to be present at Town Hall for the annual giveaway drawings. For every $5 spent in town, in the weeks leading up to Hometown Christmas, people earn one drawing ticket. Winners must be present at the drawing to claim their prize.

This year's giveaways include gift certificates to many local businesses including Waitsburg Grocery, Mary's Candies, Blue Mountain Station, Gleason's Galley, and Carolyn's Café. Among the prizes are carpet cleaning, gym memberships, frozen turkeys, Christmas décor, hair care items, and much more.

Festivities take to the street at 5 p.m. for the annual lighted parade featuring floats, animals, and pretty much anything with lights. The WHS band will play on the library steps during the parade. Revelers can return to Town Hall after the parade and warm up both inside and out at the annual Bill Thompson Memorial Chili Feed. The meal is $5 per person and $20 per family.