Holiday parade returns to Mattawa Friday

MATTAWA — There’s so much going on in Mattawa to celebrate the Christmas season that events are scheduled on two days. 

In fact, Christmas events are happening throughout the first half of December throughout the Columbia Basin. 

Mattawa’s annual Christmas parade will walk and roll down Government Road at 6:30 p.m. Friday. The Winter Festival will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Dec 14 at Wahluke High School; it’s sponsored by the city of Mattawa and the Mattawa Community Medical Clinic.

Most holiday events were in Hund Memorial Park for a few years, but in 2022 the festivities were moved to WHS.

For 2023 the park, located at 101 Government Road, will be the assembly point for the parade, with the route ending at WHS, 505 N. Boundary Road. It’s the only event scheduled for Friday night.

Members of the Wanapum will host a holiday bazaar from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday at the Wanapum Heritage Center, 29082 State Route 243. 

It’s the second of two; the first bazaar, held Nov. 25, featured handicrafts ranging from jewelry to holiday wreaths to smoked salmon. Admission is free. 

The Grant County Fairgrounds will sponsor the Winter Wonderland Market from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Dec. 9 at the fairgrounds, 3953 Airway Drive NE, Moses Lake.

More than 60 exhibitors will have booths, according to the fairgrounds' social media. Food and handcraft vendors will be among them. Admission is free. Santa and Mrs. Claus will be available for family photos. 

Mattawa’s Winter Festival will have many of the same activities as 2022 and will feature food and music, along with plenty of things for children to do. Scheduled activities include a chance at the piñatas, decorating cookies and cupcakes, along with other crafts and games.

“The big thing is the raffles,” said Mattawa City Clerk Anabel Martinez. 

There will be multiple raffles, with toys among the prizes. City officials have the goal of giving away 150 toys, according to the city’s social media. Donations, candy for the piñatas, toys or money to buy toys, can be dropped off at Mattawa City Hall, 521 Government Road. 

    Parade participants broke out their Santa hats and reindeer ears at the 2021 Christmas parade in Mattawa. The 2023 parade is Friday.
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    Mattawa Police Chief Robert Salinas helps a cookie decorator.
 COURTESY PHOTO/CITY OF MATTAWA   

    Two Santas, one elf and a herd of lighted reindeer head back to the North Pole after the 2021 Christmas parade in Mattawa.
 File photo   

    Santa and Mrs. Claus get ready for a picture with a well-bundled baby at the 2021 Christmas celebration in Mattawa.
 File photo