DAYTON-"The Town That Still Believes" will celebrate the eleventh annual Christmas Kickoff, on Fri., Nov. 29 and Sat. Nov. 30. From early Friday morning, until the end of the day on Saturday the town will come alive with fun-filled activities for everyone, young and old.

This year Santa and Mrs. Claus will be at the Festival of Trees at 250 E. Main St.

Be sure to have your picture taken, and visit with Santa, from noon to 1:30 pm, from 1:50 p.m. until 3:15 p.m. and from 3:30 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. on Fri. and from 10-11:15 a.m., from 11:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. and from 12:15 p.m. until 2 p. m. on Sat.

Story time with Mrs. Claus is on Friday at 1:30 p.m. until 1:50 p.m. and at 3:15 p.m. until 3:30 p.m. On Saturday, Mrs. Claus will be telling stories at 11:15 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. and again at 12:30 p.m. until 12:45 p.m.

New for this year is the Festival of Trees, which takes place from 10:00 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. on Friday, and from 10:00 a.m. until 3 p.m. on Saturday.

Purchase $5 raffle tickets at the Festival of Trees to benefit the Giving Tree and to help local families this Christmas. The winner of the raffle will receive a fully decorated tree, said Chamber Manager Molly Weatherill-Tate.

Watch for Santa's reindeer from 12-4 p.m. on Friday and watch for the Kickoff Karolers who will be seen strolling and caroling on Main St. in the afternoon on Friday.

Izzy the Camel will make an appearance in this year's live nativity. Look for Izzy and other Biblical characters behind Dingle's Hardware Store on Main St. at 4 p.m. and again at 5 p.m. on Friday.

Let there be mules, too! Weather permitting, Kruger's mules will stage two wagons for free hayrides around town from the Depot on Friday from noon until 3:30 p.m., and on Saturday from noon until 3:30 p.m.

The Backroads Club is sponsoring the Ugly Christmas Sweater Dash on Friday. There will be cash prizes for the ugliest sweater with 1st, 2nd, 3rd place categories for adults, for youth, and for groups and families. All participants will receive $5 in Dayton Dollars. Winners will receive prizes at noon.

The cost to enter the dash is $15. It is free to anyone under the age of five. Registration will begin at 10 a.m. at the county courthouse prior to the 11 a.m. race.

Jewelry artist Andrea Lyman, landscape artist Nancy Richter, and rodeo rope basket maker Nancy Waldron will be at the Wenaha Gallery, from 2-6 p.m., on Friday, said marketing manager Carolyn Henderson.

Henderson said Lyman incorporates items from her travels into her jewelry. Waldron is a team roper who uses old team ropes in unique colors to create her "indestructible" baskets. Richter studied under John Clement and her work is moody and atmospheric, she said.

The gallery will also be stocked with unique artisan gifts from throughout the Northwest.

The Wenaha Gallery is offering 26 percent off on all custom framing orders, and off select limited edition prints beginning on Friday.

Henderson said the 26 percent is in honor of the gallery's 26th anniversary which will be celebrated with an array of tasty treats and cake on Saturday, during Christmas Kickoff.

Look for the Rudolph and Friends float and Santa's Sleigh, in the eighth annual Lighted Parade, which will take place along Main St. at 6 p.m. on Friday.

Immediately following the parade, event-goers will proceed to Elk Drug for the Christmas tree-lighting ceremony, and carols.

Then find a good vantage point for viewing the fireworks display.

Let the judging begin! 15 minutes after the display, a Columbia County Transportation bus will depart from Elk Drug for the annual Tour of Lights. Bus riders have the opportunity to judge the best of Dayton's homes entered in the contest. Admission is free, said CCPT General Manager David Ocampo.

Head across the street to the Weinhard Hotel lobby for a sing along with Heidi Gnos-Kuban and Diane Copeland. Songbooks and percussion instruments will be available.

Kate Hockersmith is also putting together a couple of young Bluegrass bands to play at the Weinhard Hotel earlier in the afternoon on Friday.

Christmas Kickoff is a great time to celebrate at four local museums.

A Boldman House Christmas takes visitors magically back in time. Period costumes and decorations are featured in this fully-restored historic home located at 410 N. 1st St.

Museum Director Sylvia Beuhler invites you to listen to musicians Lois Whysong, Roger Tumbocon, and Mariah Haag perform on piano on Friday from 1-4 p.m. Hear WWII era radio shows on Saturday from 1-2 p. m. and listen to Lois Whysong and Marilyn Putney on the piano from 2-4 p.m.

Free nose flutes (a favorite of the Boldman sisters) and Boldman family recipes will be available. The Boldman House Museum will be open from 1-4 p.m. on Friday and on Saturday and admission is free.

The Christmas Market at the Dayton Historical Depot will be open Fri. Nov. 29 from 10 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and on Sat. from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 222 Commercial Ave.

Handcrafted items include local foods such as handmade candy, local honey and PEO bean soup. The non-edible gifts include paintings by local artists, and other local art including pottery soap kits, and cards.

This year the Depot is raffling off a hand-made Christmas quilt pieced by Dianne McKinley and quilted by artist Annie Archer. Tickets are $5 and may be purchased at the Depot through Dec. 2. The drawing will take place at 8 p.m. on Dec. 2, after Ladies Night Out.

The Depot will have poinsettias for sale and the local FFA will be selling wreaths and handcrafted iron products on the courtyard for their fundraiser.

The gift shop is fully stocked with new gift items for everyone in the family, said Tamara Fritze, Depot Museum Director.

"Come find a book on local western history, Christmas ornaments and decorations, low technology games, soaps and lotions and much more," she said.

The Blue Mountain Heritage Society is inviting you to the Smith Hollow Country Schoolhouse, at 111 N. Front St., and the Palus Museum, at 426 E. Main St., on Friday from 1-6 p.m. Admission is free.

The Touchet Valley Arts Council fall musical Mary Poppins will have an evening performance, at 7 p.m. on Wed. Nov. 27, and two performances on Sat. Nov. 30, at 3 p.m. and 7 p.m.

There will also be a free showing of the movie Arthur Christmas at the Liberty Theater at 3 p. m. on Friday.

Retail shops will open their doors around 9:00 in the morning, on both days, to offer a unique shopping experience on Dayton's Main Street.

Dayton Chamber Manager Molly Weatherill-Tate said Dayton Dollars will be accepted at the stores, as well.

Weatherill-Tate said she would like to thank Bette Lou Crothers for helping organize this year's Christmas Kickoff. She would also like to thank Misty Yost for organizing the Chamber-sponsored Festival of Trees.