Festive Ephrata

EPHRATA — The holidays are officially in full swing in Ephrata after Saturday’s Bells on Basin celebration. The Ephrata Chamber of Commerce hosted the event which was capped off with a bit of snowfall.

The free event started at 8:30 a.m. as visitors were able to enjoy breakfast with Santa. Event organizer Brittany Macleod said this year there were about 400 people in attendance for the breakfast with Santa portion of the day’s festivities. 

According to Macleod, the attendance at the event overall was much higher this year than in previous years. By the time the parade rolled around, the streets of downtown Ephrata were filled with people all ready to get in on the holiday spirit.

“It was a really great turnout,” said Macleod.

Those wanting to get a little morning workout in were also able to participate in a fun run at 9 a.m. After this and the breakfast with Santa came the multitude of events for the kids.

From 10:30 a.m. to noon, children participated in the Polar Express Passport event. This event involved them going to participating businesses and taking part in the activities set up there to earn punches on event passports to enter the drawing for a Polar Express Train Set.

Following this, they were gathered at the chamber for a free movie viewing of “Elf.”

At 3 p.m., a holiday charcuterie class was held at the ERC where a parent and child could participate. This event did have a $50 entry fee per pair with an extra $10 added on for each additional child.

As the sun began to set and the snow started to fall people gathered on the street preparing for the annual Bells on Basin parade. The Christmas tree was lit next to the Chamber of Commerce building and hot chocolate and popcorn were served inside the ERC.

This year’s parade ended up seeing 28 entries with a variety of floats. Vehicles of all shapes and sizes were adorned with creative assortments of lights and decorations and those marching in the parade were in their most festive attire.

“It was amazing,” said Alycia Sullivan who was watching the parade with her family. “It was festive and colorful and fun for the community with lots of creative vehicles.”

The parade went off without any hitches and candy and snow alike could be seen falling into the streets.

“It was a nice kickoff to the holidays,” said Macleod. “It was perfect timing with the snow.”

Macleod emphasized the absolute gratitude she had for the participating businesses in Bells on Basin for making it all possible.

“We couldn’t do it without our businesses,” she said. “The big role they play in kicking off the holidays and doing it for the kids is special.”

The fun goes beyond Saturday’s event with the Elf on the Shelf. The Elf will be moving around from business to business throughout the holiday season and people who find him can win prizes by posting his picture in the comments of the chamber’s Facebook post.

Caleb Perez is a graduate of Moses Lake High School and Big Bend Community College. He works full-time in the Columbia Basin Herald’s Distribution Department and writes for the paper when he can.

    One of Ephrata’s school buses had its route set to “FUN” as it was decked out with various Christmas lights and filled with passengers ready to spread their holiday spirit.
  

    Grant PUD got a little help from a couple of Santas on their float as they held on tightly to some powerlines.
  

    The Ephrata Chamber of Commerce’s Elf on the Shelf can be found at businesses throughout Ephrata and those who find him can be entered into a raffle for a chance to win a prize.
  

    One of the great things about living in an agricultural community is that there’s always a tractor to pull a float in a pinch. Even if it has to bring it in all the way from the North Pole.