Document text
Central Point throws ‘one big party’ for Christmas By Buffy Pollock Nov 18, 2022 12:15 AM A A 3 View all photos Central Point’s holiday parade is planned for Dec. 3. [Courtesy photo] Santa is a special guest at the Central Point Community Christmas. [Courtesy photo] Central Point’s community Christmas tree is located behind the library and City Hall. [Courtesy photo] This year’s Central Point Community Christmas promises a return to its pre-pandemic Yuletide celebration, complete with parade floats, visits with Santa, Christmas caroling and holiday goodies galore. Not only will St. Nick approve wholeheartedly; he’ll even be there to help host the entire shindig. A regional favorite, the city’s annual event is a true kickoff to the holiday season. Slated for Dec. 3, the event begins at 5 p.m. with a parade through downtown, followed by a tree lighting at 6 p.m. Nikki Petersen, recreation manager, said both the city and Central Point Chamber will host events this year. Downtown businesses will become a sort of “Santa’s Village” offering a fun Christmas Coin Challenge, put on by the Chamber. Starting at 3 p.m., kids can wander around to downtown businesses and get a stamp — and likely various holiday treats. At the end, a completed passport delivered to the Chamber will earn its holder a commemorative Christmas coin. In addition to free cocoa, cookies and Christmas crafts, a slew of vendors will be on hand with food and drink and other goodies to buy. Petersen said a surprise could also be unveiled during the city’s tree lighting, which takes place behind the library and City Hall, near Second and Oak streets. Additional activities include card-making for local seniors, before and during the event, to be delivered to assisted living and other care facilities. “We have community members all pitch in to make Christmas cards during the event, and then we deliver them to all the senior residents in Central Point. Usually, we end up with thousands of Christmas cards,” said Petersen. “It’s very sweet. The school district gets involved in helping with making cards, too, and then they’re all hand-delivered to seniors in our community.” Petersen said community members can sign up their seniors, by providing mailing addresses or volunteering to make cards and drop them off at City Hall. Petersen said the event is the city’s most anticipated every year. “We used to MAYBE fill the area around the tree with people who came to watch. Now, we more than fill the entire block around the tree,” she said. “It’s just one big party in the downtown and a kickoff to the holidays!” Petersen said the parade would feature the Crater High School marching band and at least two dozen parade entrants, though she’s hopeful additional sign-ups will find the lineup closer to 40. She noted, “We usually have some pretty elaborate floats, kids in sports groups who dress up and perform … Last year we had these big Clydesdale horses with Santa on a big wooden sleigh. It’s just loads of fun.” Petersen said the upcoming holiday party, while more than a month away, can’t happen soon enough. In fact, Christmas decorations ALREADY are going up. “We end up putting our Christmas decorations up early, like a week or so before Thanksgiving. Some people don’t really love that, but some are like, ‘Yes! You guys are my people.’” Petersen said with a laugh. “We’re not the biggest city, but we do have the biggest parties!” Parade participants can sign up, for a $10 entry fee, by calling 541-664-3321, ext. 130 or by emailing, [email protected] To participate in card-making — to give or receive — or to help sponsor the event, send Petersen an email. For more info on the community Christmas, see centralpointoregon.gov/parksrec/page/community-christmas and centralpointchamber.chambermaster.com/events/details/community-christmas-lights-parade-8360 Reach reporter Buffy Pollock at 541-776-8784 or [email protected]. Follow her on Twitter @orwritergal