By CHRISTIAN CARVAJAL
The Olympia Downtown Association presents a cornucopia of holiday entertainment complete with parade the Sunday after every Thanksgiving. Over a thousand people are expected to attend this year’s gathering. Shops compete in “Twinkle Fest” by decorating their storefronts; shoppers win prizes by voting. The Hotel Olympian (116 Legion Way SE) hosts a photo opportunity with Mr. and Mrs. Claus. Here’s a fun fact: Though Mrs. Claus has no canonically agreed-upon first name, two Rankin/Bass animated specials call her Jessica.
Starting at 11 a.m., The Washington Center will display gingerbread castles and houses. A sing-along screening of The Greatest Showman begins at 5 p.m. The Oly on Ice rink has its grand opening at noon. Handbell Ensemble brightens Batdorf & Bronson (516 Capitol Way S.) from 1:15 to 2:45 p.m. The 3 p.m. Jingle Bell Parade culminates in a tree-lighting ceremony at Sylvester Park (615 Washington St. SE), with Washington Middle School Bulldog Concert Choir and other school groups caroling to beat the autumn chill. The master of ceremonies for this year’s parade will be Mixx 96.1’s morning-drive-time disc jockey, Ty Flint.
(Photo courtesy Olympia Downtown Alliance.)
WHAT
Downtown for the Holidays
WHEN
10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 25
WHERE
Downtown Olympia
HOW MUCH
Free to visit
LEARN MORE
downtownolympia.org/Events/
360-357-8948