CRESWELL – While Springfield rolls out its Oldest & Coldest Parade this weekend, South Lane is getting ready to celebrate the holiday season next weekend with the 22nd annual Creswell Winter Lights Festival on Saturday, Dec. 13.
Winter Lights, hosted by the Creswell Chamber of Commerce, features live music, a holiday vendor market, Santa Claus, a light parade, and hot cocoa and cider throughout downtown from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
If holiday tunes are your jam, the streets of Creswell will be singing. The Creswell Brass, Jazz, and Pep Bands will perform from 2 to 2:55 p.m. at the Creswell Library Tent, 64 W. Oregon Ave. Cascade Kids will take place at the Creswell Community Center at 3 p.m. At the same time, the Creswell Middle School Choir will sing from 3 to 3:45 p.m. at the Fire Bay, between City Hall and the Community Center, followed by a performance by the Creswell Community Singers until about 4:15 p.m.
Guest speakers, including Mayor Nick Smith, Chamber President Kelly Makinson, and City Manager Vincent Martorello, are scheduled to speak from 4:15 to 4:30 p.m. at the Fire Bay.
Martorello started in his new role as city manager over the summer and is looking forward to attending the event for the first time.
“I have heard so much about Winter Lights, and I am looking forward to seeing it and being a part of the event,” Martorello said. “I believe the lights are a great representation of the pride and love people have for Creswell. And, in that moment, when we are all in attendance, it is about Creswell and what Creswell means to all of us. I am sure the lights will be beautiful, and for me, the evening will be about community. In fact, I am sure my whole day of the event will be centered on community pride, and this is what I am looking forward to most about Winter Lights.”
Local shopping aplenty
Additionally, an all-day Holiday Market will be held at the Community Center on the corner of 1st and C Streets from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Vendors will offer a variety of items, including handmade jewelry, locally made foods, and crafts.
“What will be a little different this year is that we’ll also have vendors that will be in the City parking lot behind the Chamber office, which will be exciting,” said Michelle Mervin, communication specialist with the Creswell Chamber.
Some featured vendors include Eugene Kettle Corn; S.L. Sheldon Wood Turning, selling wooden bowls, platters, vases, and ornaments; Three Pines, selling various sizes of wreaths, wooden snowmen, decorations, and snowglobes; and local artisans selling crochet and hand-knit hats, gloves, scarves, and plushies, handcrafted jewelry, aprons, and homemade cakes.
This year marks Nola Marie Baking’s return to the holiday market after her baked goods sold like hot cakes last year, Mervin said.
“Last year, we had a girl who baked all these amazing, delicious cakes, and she was a senior in high school, and that was going to be her business. She then went to college, but she will be a returning vendor, not part of Creswell High School. How cool is that?”
Creswell Community Center will also host Creswell High School’s Bulldog Market from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., featuring products created by the Career and Technical Education (CTE) program.
The Creswell Grange at 298 W. Oregon Ave. will also be holding a sale, this one featuring vintage, craft, and baked goods, from noon to 6 p.m.
People can also hop over to the Fellowship Hall of the Presbyterian Church at 75 S. 4th St. for a Creswell Presbyterian Women’s Country Store Christmas from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Expect to see food and beverage options downtown throughout the day, including local food trucks like Green Go Tacos, On Your Way BBQ, and Travelin’ Toms Coffee Truck.
Free coffee, cocoa, and cookies will be on the front porch of Eyeland Family Optical at 281 W. Oregon Ave. in celebration of St. Lucia Day, a Scandinavian festival of light celebrating the “triumph of light over darkness” during the Advent season.
Mr. & Mrs. Claus & Light Parade
If you’re looking to track down the Big Jolly Guy, official word from the North Pole is that Santa Claus plans to visit the Community Center for photo opportunities and wish-gathering between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m.
Meanwhile, at Creswell Library, Mrs. Claus will host stories and crafts for kids from 1-3 p.m.
The eye-catching event of the day happens in the evening around 5 p.m., when the Community Festival of Lights Parade will flicker down Oregon Avenue from Creswell Middle School at 7th Street through 1st Street, featuring floats from Family Relief Nursery, Second Chance PC, Luminous marching group, the Sanipac Duck Truck, and Cottage Grove Riding Club, among others. Mervin said about 15 floats are expected for the light parade. However, Mervin is expecting an increase.
Before and after the parade, the Creswell Historical Museum at 55 N. 5th St. will be open for folks to congregate and stay toasty.
