Arlington rings in holiday
Published 10:50 pm Wednesday, November 28, 2007
Arlington’s annual Hometown Holidays celebration is scheduled for Saturday in downtown Arlington. The event usually draws scores of people to downtown to welcome Santa Claus and begin the holiday season.
The event features a parade with Santa at noon, followed by a tree-lighting ceremony at City Hall. Children are invited to have their pictures taken with Santa from 2 to 4 p.m. in the City Council Chambers. Covered wagon rides through downtown Arlington are scheduled for 1 to 5 p.m.
Cristy Brubaker, Arlington’s public works coordinator and the event’s volunteer organizer, answers questions about Hometown Holidays.
Q: What is Hometown Holidays?
A: It’s Arlington’s way of starting the Christmas season.
Q: How old is the Hometown Holidays celebration?
A: It probably has been revitalized for the past six years. Before that, it was kind of up in the air on who did it. Sometimes the high school students would coordinate it and sometimes the Chamber (of Commerce) would coordinate it. About five or six years ago the chamber and downtown merchants really put it together. We officially invited people to join us in the parade. We hired the wagon to come to town and give people free wagon rides throughout the town on Saturday and just kind of formalized it and made a commitment for a true annual event.
Q: Is there any cost to participate in the event?
A: There is no charge.
Q: How do photos with Santa work?
A: We encourage people to bring their own cameras. If someone doesn’t have a camera, we’ll be able to take Polaroids for them. They’re free or for donations. We usually give the money to the food bank. This year, we’re giving it to Kids Kloset. It’s a nonprofit group that works here in Arlington to provide clothing and personal items for people in need.
Q: Who enters the parade?
A: It’s a variety. We usually have some people with street rods and antique cars, the fire department. Scout groups are usually our honor guard. The mayor and council usually participate in some manner. … You never know, but it’s community-oriented. There’s not usually a lot of participants that come from a long ways.
For more information, call 360-403-3448.
— Kaitlin Manry, Herald writer
