DAYTON-The Town That Still Believes still does, but because of the COVID-19 situation, things will look a little different this year.

Instead of the usual Christmas Kickoff over Thanksgiving weekend, Dayton Chamber Manager Molly Weatherill-Tate and her assistant Lauren Parsons have been working on plans for Believe! A Small-Town Celebration.

This year, the Dayton Chamber will not be able to hold the indoor Festival of Trees; however, they are offering local businesses the loan of one of the fifteen trees to decorate their storefronts. The trees are on a first-come, first-serve basis by calling the Chamber office. If there is enough interest, the Chamber will promote a Festival of Trees Walking Tour.

The community Christmas tree will go up outside of Elk Drug on Nov. 18. Dayton elementary students will make the decorations, which will be hung by Dayton's own Doug Hines of Pacific Power, Inc.

The Lighted Parade, the day after Thanksgiving, is a "no go" this year. Instead, there will be a Lighted Christmas Cruise, much like the All Wheels Weekend Cruise, in June. Staging will be at the High School Sports Complex on Cottonwood St. at 5:30 p.m. with the cruise at 6 p.m. There's no need to pre-register to join in.

Be sure to look for the online Holiday Marketplace at the Dayton Chamber website. Weatherill-Tate said many businesses and organizations are participating, and each will have their specialty items for sale at this one-stop shopping venue.

Yes, Virginia, there will be fireworks! Look up, from wherever you are, on Saturday, Dec. 19, at 6 p.m. and see the skies lit up in a salute to Christmas fun.

Check the Dayton Chamber website at historicdayton.com for more Christmas fun activities such as the Ugly Sweater Dash and Take and Make kits at the library. The Dayton Chamber can be reached by phone at (509) 382-4825.