Making spirits bright: Organizers seek participants for two local Christmas events

OTHELLO — Organizers of two local Christmas celebrations are looking for businesses, organizations and individuals to participate in their annual festivities.

“A Christmas Miracle on Main Street” is scheduled for Dec. 4 in Othello, and “Christmas in the Park” Dec. 10 in Mattawa.

Tania DeLeon, one of the organizers of “A Christmas Miracle on Main Street.” said “Whoville” is the 2021 theme. Whoville, of course, is the object of hatred of the hard-hearted Grinch in the classic Dr. Seuss story “How the Grinch Stole Christmas.”

A food, coat and toy drive is scheduled during the day. People can donate new or used coats in good condition, new and unwrapped toys and cans, boxes and bags of non-perishable food.

There’s a decorating contest for businesses, with a cash prize of $100 to the winner. The entry deadline is Nov. 30. The entry form is available on the city’s website, www.othellowa.gov, under the “events” tab.

Festivities will start pretty early with a cornhole tournament beginning at 10 a.m. Teams are asked to register in advance; people can sign up at www.scoreholio.com.

The activities start downtown at noon. Kids can get pictures with the Grinch during the afternoon.

Vendors will set up in front of city hall, 500 E. Main St. The deadline for reserving booth space is Nov. 19. All vendors except non-profit organizations must pay an entry fee. Registration information is available on the city’s website.

The entry deadline for the Christmas parade is Nov. 29; the entry fees are listed on the form, which is available on the city website.

Two cash prizes will be awarded, one for the winner of the float category and the second for all other entries. The float prize is $500, and the winner of the other entries will receive $250.

Organizers have started a “VIP program” for parade seating, DeLeon said. People can reserve a space for up to eight people in one of the prime viewing spots. People in the VIP section also get unlimited hot chocolate until the parade starts at 5 p.m. Ten VIP sections are available.

The community Christmas tree is going up this week, DeLeon said, and the tree lighting will be part of the Dec. 4 festivities.

Festivities in Mattawa begin at 5 p.m. Dec. 10 in Hund Memorial Park, 101 Government Road. Organizers are asking for organizations and businesses to set up in the park. An ugly holiday sweater contest is planned, and children in preschool through the fifth grade can take their turn at attempting to break a piñata. Different times will be set up for different age groups to try their hand at cracking open a piñata.

Activities for children will be sponsored by parishioners from Our Lady of the Desert Catholic Church. A well-known jolly old elf from the North Pole will be on hand for pictures.

The parade will roll down Government Road at 6 p.m. Lineup starts at 4:30 p.m. at the parking lot at Wahluke High School, 505 N. Boundary Road. The community Christmas tree will be lit at 8 p.m.

Organizers also are looking for volunteers to help with some of the setup and for donations of toys for local children. Toys can be wrapped, and should have a tag indicating the appropriate age and gender.

To donate or for more information, contact Mattawa City Hall at 509-932-4037, or mayor Maria Celaya at 509-932-3586.

Cheryl Schweizer can be reached via email at cschweizer@columbiabasinherald.com.