A team of crafty hands braved the winter temperatures on Monday to transform a city pumphouse into a life-sized gingerbread attraction at Henderson Park in Chehalis.
Though not Santa’s elves, the Chehalis Community Renaissance Team’s Holiday Decorations Committee has been planning all year to take on this project. With cellophane candies and plywood for snow, the group kept to a tight budget to bring the festive installation to life.
“Under the jolly direction of councilman, local business owner and chief elf Terry Harris, it has turned out better than we could have dreamed and there is still a bit more to come,” noted Experience Chehalis in a Facebook post.
Many community members took to the post to share photos and personal stories of how they and their loved ones stopped by the building to enjoy the scenery.
Jill Peterson, of Chehalis, shared a snapshot of her niece Layla Gleason, 5, who raised her arms and with a bright smile posed for a photo in front of the newly festooned structure.
“My husband Jeff and I had already seen the vibrant gingerbread house the night before,” said Peterson. “We both loved it.”
The couple couldn't wait to show their niece the following day.
“When the gingerbread house was in her sight she gasped,” Peterson said. “Even though it was a very cold day she had her window down so she could take in every detail.”
Even the cold weather couldn't keep families away from closer examination of the unique design.
“She jumped at the offer of us stopping to get a closer look and to have her picture taken,” said Peterson. “Terry was putting some finishing touches on the gingerbread house while we were there. Layla gave him her thumbs up approval.”
The gingerbread house is located on the corner of SW 13th Street and South Market Boulevard in Chehalis.
