Soap Lake celebrates Winterfest
Five-year-old Isaiah and four-year-old Jayden (last names were not given), both of Wilson Creek, visit with Santa Claus during the annual Soap Lake Winterfest Saturday.
SOAP LAKE - Organizers of Soap Lake's annual Winterfest said the town's Christmas celebration was successful at bringing residents together to enjoy the festivities.
"I've never been to Winterfest, but it's not even noon yet and there's a good crowd," said Carrie Farrell, of the Sundial Bistro.
Farrell said she was happy with the event's turnout.
Residents from Soap Lake and from neighboring areas spent Saturday visiting businesses on Main Street, which each offered different food and drink specials as well as activities for Winterfest participants.
With the "Christmas around the World" theme, each business represented a different country. The Sundial Bistro was Spain, and sold cuisine inspired from that country.
Jill Larson, owner of the Del-Red pub, said the annual celebration was also geared at children.
Larson spent most of the day stamping passports for kids who participated in the event's scavenger hunt. She said she enjoyed seeing children get involved in Winterfest.
"They come and get a stamp from us and other places on the map to complete their hunt," she said. Del-Red Pub represented Ireland at Winterfest.
Soap Lake resident Phillip Reznow said he enjoys coming to Winterfest for the annual turkey bowling event. Reznow said he has participated in turkey bowling during the last few Winterfest celebrations. He has taken home his fair share of frozen turkeys in the past as a result of bowling a strike.
"I won last year, and I'm trying this year," he said.
Winterfest participants also got the chance to see Santa Claus, who arrived via a Soap Lake fire truck. Santa handed out presents to dozens of kids during the event.