With Thanksgiving and Christmas quickly approaching, the Centralia Downtown Association (CDA) is preparing to spread holiday cheer with a slate of upcoming festive events in the Hub City’s downtown area.
“We can't wait to welcome our local community and out of town visitors to the heart of the Hub City here in downtown Centralia for the holidays,” CDA Executive Director MacKenzie McGee said in a news release. “We've got an event for everyone no matter how you celebrate the holidays, and there's always something going on to enjoy. Even if it's not an event, just being downtown to shop, dine or play during the holiday season feels like stepping into a Hallmark movie where everything is picturesque!”
The festivities begin just after Thanksgiving with Centralia’s annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony, which will be held at George Washington Park beginning at 6 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 29.
Santa, played by Larry Morton of The Evergreen Playhouse, will be brought to George Washington Park to light the tree in a fire truck by the Riverside Fire Authority.
Additionally, free warm beverages will be provided by Life Center Church along with mini cinnamon rolls from Cinn-A-Girls provided by the CDA, according to the release.
Starting the next day, on Saturday, Nov. 30, the CDA will hold its first Shop Small Saturday event promoting shopping at local businesses. During this event, the CDA will provide family-friendly fun at the Pine Street Plaza, and participating businesses will be offering in-store deals and discounts.
Members of the Centralia High School Future Farmers of America chapter will also be in the Pine Street Plaza selling Christmas wreaths as a fundraiser to help support their chapter.
While walking downtown, shoppers are asked to vote for the people’s choice award in the CDA’s holiday window display competition. This year’s theme is “The 12 days of Christmas.”
The CDA’s judging will take place on Wednesday, Dec. 4, while the people’s choice voting will be open on the CDA’s website through Thursday, Dec. 19.
Christmas Carolling will also be returning to downtown Centralia at 6 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 6, Dec. 13 and Dec. 20. Carollers will start at the Pine Street Plaza before being led on a route throughout the downtown area by the Two Town Tuners.
The CDA’s Late ‘Til 8 Shopping events are back as well, with participating businesses staying open until 8 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 6, Dec. 13 and Dec. 20, to accommodate shoppers’ busy work schedules.
For the early birds, the CDA has also coordinated an Early Bird Specials event on Saturday, Dec. 21, where participating businesses will open at 6 a.m. to accommodate any early shoppers or those needing last-minute gifts.
The biggest event the CDA is planning is the 15th annual Lighted Tractor Parade, which will start at 6 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 14, along Tower Avenue.
New this year is the parade’s lawnmower brigade, where those who don’t have a tractor but do have a rideable lawnmower can decorate it and participate for a $5 entry fee.
Those interested in entering their lawnmowers must have them at the Centralia College parking lot between Rock and Oak streets by 4 p.m. on Dec. 14 for staging and must be at least 18 years old with a valid driver’s license.
Following the 15th annual Lighted Tractor Parade is the CDA’s Midnight Madness event, where businesses in downtown Centralia will remain open until midnight immediately following the end of the parade to accommodate late-night shopping, dining and more.
The CDA will host family friendly activities at Pine Street Plaza during Midnight Madness.
“There is so much to see and do in downtown this year, from shopping, dining and playing, to any of our mirriad events, to the many great events other businesses and organizations put on in the heart of the Hub City,” McGee said in the release. “There truly is no better place to spend your holiday season than here. Downtown Centralia is thriving and ready to welcome you!”
For more information, visit the CDA’s website at https://downtowncentralia.org/.
