Winterfest coming to Soap Lake

SOAP LAKE - Christmas from around the world is coming to Soap Lake starting tonight.

The city's annual Winterfest celebration includes hayrides to see Christmas lights, a children's treasure hunt, a beer, wine and hot toddy walk, and turkey bowling. Several of the events are new to the celebration.

Carrie Farrell, the Sundial Bistro and Restaurant co-owner, said the celebration almost didn't happen this year until she became involved.

"We opened the Sundial Bistro Restaurant nine months ago, and we want events to happen in the city," she said.

She pointed to the election of three new councilmember and a new mayor, who all wanted more events in the city. They are working together to accomplish the goal. When she became involved, Farrell met with the other business owners, and they added to the celebration.

The celebration starts 7 p.m. Friday with a hayride leaving from the Sundial Bistro to see the contestants in the holiday house lighting contest. The Soap Lake Chamber of Commerce and the Soap Lake Association of Businesses are hosting the contest in memory of Vern Hinkel.

"He put over 5,000 strands of lights up," Farrell said. "He did a huge display."

Hinkel's Soap Lake home could be seen from both state routes 17 and 28, and was a destination for travelers and city residents each year. His home is remaining dark this year following his death in August.

About 12 homes registered to participate in the contest, and the hayride plans to visit 15 homes, Farrell said.

The Sundial Bistro, the Del-Red Pub and the Soap Lake Businessman's Club are also joining in during the weekend with live music, Farrell said. The Sundial Bistro is featuring Soap Lake performers Danika Nolton and Gary Johnstad from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., Friday, and the students of Mary and Aaron Loeffelbein singing Christmas music. The Del-Red Pub is featuring the rock and blues music of the Fred Bauer Band starting at 9 p.m. with a $2 cover charge. The businessman's club is featuring 8 Years April, starting at 8 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.

The events continue on Saturday starting with a breakfast at the Soap Lake Senior Center costing $5. The breakfast includes pancakes, eggs, ham and coffee or tea.

Events start at 10 a.m. on Main Avenue. Farrell said children can pick up a bag with a map showing where activities are at the Sundial Bistro or the Del-Red Pub. Among the events are a scavenger hunt, and a passport so children can go to different places and receive stamps.

"Then there are prizes for the people who complete their stamps," Farrell said. "Then we have karaoke for families from noon to 5 p.m. (at the Sundial Bistro.) It's hard for kids to get to do something like that because they're usually held in bars."

Along with the children's games, the event features 23 vendors between the former liquor store on Main Avenue, Don's Restaurant's Banquet Room and the Healing Waters Art Gallery.

"We have lots of vendors. They'll be selling all sorts of things, knives, crafts, face painters," Farrell said.

Turkey Bowling returns to the festival. People can try bowling a frozen turkey and getting a strike to win a turkey.

Santa Claus arrives by fire truck at noon at the gazebo on the corner of Main Avenue and Canna Street.

Another addition to the celebration is a beer, wine and hot toddy walk, where people can experience different drinks from across the world, Farrell said. The event costs $25 for a single person, $40 for a couple, and starts at Cougar Liquor on Daisy Street.

"We're all representing different countries," Farrell said. "Cougar Liquor will be Mexico ... Our country will be Spain ... Don's Restaurant is Greece. They'll have Greek wine, beer and Ouzo. The Del-Red Pub will be Ireland. That's where the hot toddies come in."

Other countries represented include Holland and Norway, Farrell said. Each time a person purchases a drink they will receive a ticket for a drawing for a two-night stay in Soap Lake. The prize includes a stay at both the Notaras Lodge and the Inn at Soap Lake, along with meals.