Special events abound for the holidays.
In Port Townsend, the community tree-lighting celebration is Saturday, Dec. 4, in person and live streamed on Port Townsend Main Street’s facebook page,
Starting at the Tyler Plaza tent Wild Rose Chorale will be singing favorite holiday carols. There will also be “take-and-make” ornament kits, plus Santa and Kiwanis Choo Choo photo opportunities. At dusk, everyone will head on over to Haller Fountain for the tree lighting.
PT Eats Week also kicks off Dec. 4 and continues through Dec. 12.
Small Business this year is on Saturday, Nov. 27, and in downtown Port Townsend, there will be a tent covering Tyler Plaza for visitors. The public is invited for swag making from 2 to 4 p.m. Nov. 27.
The Port Townsend Public Library in collaboration with Port Townsend Main Street are excited to host 27th Annual Uptown Gingerbread Contest. The judging for the gingerbread-making contest is planned for Dec. 15 through Dec. 28 at the Port Townsend Public Library. Call the library at 385-3181 with questions. You can pick up free Gingerbread House Kits to get you started at the Port Townsend Public Library starting on Dec. 7 (while supplies last).
Jefferson County Library presents “Homes for the Holidays: Gingerbread House Making Contest” through Dec. 22. Participants can create an edible structure, then enter the contest and send the library a photograph. The entry form will be available online beginning Nov. 26.
Homebuilders can also bring their entry to the library to add to the display.
Voting online will start Dec. 13 and continue through Dec. 20; Need supplies? Register for a supply kit that includes graham crackers, candy, and frosting mix at www.jclibrary.info
The 34th Annual Chimacum Arts and Crafts Fair is set for 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 11 at Chimacum High School.
The fair will feature nearly 100 vendors from across Washington state, and is the largest holiday craft fair in Jefferson County.
As always, the special holiday event features distinctive, hand-crafted artwork, including jewelry, apparel, textiles, ceramics, candles, woodwork, leather works, artisan foods, and much more.
The fair showcases the spirit of Jefferson County, while raising money for Chimacum school programs, supporting the local Maker’s Economy, and providing a marketplace for youth and nonprofit program fundraisers.
This year’s fair will follow COVID protocols. All fair participants, including vendors, guests, and staff, will be required to wear masks indoors at all times. There will be no indoor food service or dining.
The total number of occupants allowed in the fair will also be limited to 50 percent of fire capacity.
The craft fair was started in 1986 by Flavia and Terry Heineman and Carol West as a fundraiser for unmet needs at Chimacum High School. Over the years the fair has contributed thousands of dollars to dozens of student and school projects.
Funds raised from the most recent fair in 2019 went to support the Community Wellness Garden, the school library, the soccer program, the Spanish Class Books, Jefferson County 4H after-school programs in Quilcene and Brinnon, the Cafe Breakfast Program, the CHATAE Club, Parent Partners of Pi, the Jefferson Teen Center, graduation needs, the high school art class, the Science Rube Goldberg Project, the CHS Horticulture Program, the Choir Program, CHS Robotics, Read to Rover, and the Olympic Mountain Pet Pals. Money is generated from the entrance fee, vendor fees and a small percentage of vendor sales.
“We are so excited to welcome our vendors, students and the community back for this fabulous tradition,” said Flavia Heineman, fair board president.
For additional information and a full list of vendors participating in the fair, visit chimacumarts.com.
Quilcene Holiday Craft Fair and Bazaar, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 27, Quilcene Masonic Hall, 170 Herbert St., Quilcene.
Holiday Faire at the Beach Club in Port Ludlow sponsored by the Port Ludlow Art League from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 27.
The event will feature artwork from local artists, including jewelry, watercolors, acrylics, photographs, collages, woodworking, ceramics, books, cards, and baskets. The Beach Club is located at 121 Marina View Drive in Port Ludlow.
Brinnon’s Christmas Craft Fair will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 4 at the Brinnon Booster Club Building.
There will be crafts, gifts, food, and fun. For information, call 360-796-4910.
Christmas for Children is supported by the generous contributions received from the community organizations of Rotary and Kiwanis, together with financial support from local businesses and individuals. Through Kiwanis, they have developed strong partnerships with the Marine Corps “Toys for Tots” program, where they have access to the toys they collect and then distribute them on their behalf.
There are “Giving Trees” located around the county at local area businesses, where you can get a tag, purchase the gift and make a child’s dream of having a gift for Christmas come true. For more information, go to Christmas4Children.com.
Christmas for Critters in Quilcene will have donation boxes and wish lists in multiple locations — to benefit the Jefferson and Clallam Humane Societies and OPEN (Olympic Peninsula Equine Network).
Gifts of Hope serving Quilcene, Brinnon and Coyle. Trees with tags for low income children and seniors will be in Quilcene and Brinnon in December.
Coyle Women’s Club Holiday Bake Sale, at 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 11, at Laurel B. Johnson Community Center, Coyle
In Quilcene, on Saturday, Dec. 4, is the Community Tree Lighting, near the post office. The tree-lighting starts at 4:30 p.m. Santa arrives at 4:45 p.m. to greet everyone and for photographs.
