Jingling all the way: Ephrata does Christmas up right with Miracle on Main Street

EPHRATA — Ephrata’s annual Miracle on Main Street saw the town filled with activity Saturday. One of the biggest parts of the day was the Jingle Bell Fun Run, which gathered more than 135 participants.

The day began at 8 a.m. with Breakfast with Santa at the Ephrata Recreation Center.

Thrivent Financial for Lutherans sponsored a food drive in the Moore Furniture parking lot from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

At 3:30 p.m., the Jingle Bell Fun Run took over Basin Street. The race has been going on for more than a decade, although the route and distances have changed a few times.

This year, participants had the option to run a 5K (3.1 miles) or a 1-mile course. The beginning and ending of the race was at the parking lot of 261 Basin St. SW, which used to be AmericanWest Bank.

One-hundred eleven people pre-registered for the race, and another 25 registered that day. Participants came in all ages and groupings. Some participants came as families, some brought their dogs, some dressed up in festive clothing and some just came by themselves.

Nine-year-old Harlyn Magana was the first across the finish line. She ran the 1-mile course. Magana said she likes running and decided to do the fun run because she had done a virtual fun run at her grandma’s house this year with her family and really enjoyed it. She also said she plans to do another fun run in the future.

Tim Hiatt received a medal for being the first in the 50-59 age bracket, although he declined to give a specific age. Hiatt said he has done the Jingle Bell Fun Run for many years because it is fun and is a good way to get out of the house and get some exercise. He added this year’s weather was nicer for the run than most years have been; some years there was snow on the ground.

Just after the race wrapped up, at 4:50 p.m., a tree lighting was held at the Ephrata Recreation Center. Leading up to the lighting, the Ephrata High School choir sang Christmas carols under the tree.

The giant tree had not been lit up for at least 15 to 20 years, Ephrata Chamber of Commerce Director Rita Witte said. Witte also mentioned the Christmas decorations of lighting along Basin Street were made possible through a grant.

The day finished with the traditional parade, featuring about a dozen different types of vehicles, from side-by-sides to a Grant Transit Authority Bus, all lit up with Christmas lights. Some riders on the vehicles even threw candy.

People were bundled up with layers, hats, gloves and even blankets to watch the parade in the chilly evening.

Rebecca Pettingill can be reached via email at rpettingill@columbiabasinherald.com.