NEWPORT – While we won’t needle readers with a countdown of so many shopping days until Christmas, it is that time of year when holiday events start to pepper November and December. With a little less than two months left in the year, below is a list of events and activities that highlight the holiday season. Entries are organized by date.
We’ve tried to be comprehensive, but if we’ve missed one, please email details to [email protected] no later than Fridays at 5:30 p.m. to be included the following week’s newspaper.
Crafts and Cocoa with YES
Youth Emergency Services (YES) of Pend Oreille County are hosting Crafty Cups and Cocoa with YES Wednesday, Nov. 20, 3-5 p.m.
Youth and young adults ages 12-24 are encouraged to attend, make a holiday gift, have snacks and watch a holiday movie. There will be limited transportation after the event, so if a ride is needed, let staff know as soon as possible. Participants can RSVP on the YES Facebook page at www.facebook. com/YESTEENSUPPORT, call 509-447-1125, email info@yesteensupport. com or stop in at the center located at 229 n.
Calispel Ave. in Newport.
Priest River Christmas Market
A Christmas Market will be at the Priest River Event Center Friday, Nov.
22 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturday, Nov. 23 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The event brings together local vendors and small businesses so people can get their shopping done in one place. Entry is free and there will be refreshments.
The event center is located at 5399 Hwy. 2 in Priest River.
Rotary Club Online Dessert Auction
Want some homemade desserts for Thanksgiving, or just because? The Kaniksu Sunrise Rotary Club (formerly Newport/ Priest River Rotary Club) will host an online dessert auction from Saturday, Nov. 23 starting at 10 a.m. through Tuesday, Nov. 26, ending at 5 p.m. The non-profit club is partnering with Debra Buttrey of Sweet Treats to raise money for the club’s teacher/staff grant program.
For more information, email [email protected]. Check out the Facebook page at www. facebook.com/NPRRotaryClub.
Newport Christmas Tree Lighting
Mark those calendars for the annual Newport Christmas Tree Lighting Saturday, Nov. 30 (TBA).
There will be free hot cocoa, photos with Santa Claus, candy canes, cookies and a vendor market.
The Christmas tree is in downtown Newport next to the Pend Oreille County Museum at 402 S. Washington Ave. The event is hosted by the Greater Newport Area Chamber of Commerce.
Call 509-447-5812 for more information.
Small-Town Christmas
Ione’s Small-Town Christmas celebration is Saturday, Nov. 30 at the Ione Park. Santa Claus arrives at 1:30 p.m. and will pose for photos 2-4 p.m. There will be goodie bags and activities for children, a Christmas Carole singalong, a six-foot stuffed stocking raffle, a North Pole mailbox for letters to Santa, a bake sale and local vendors will be out from 1-5 p.m. The Lions Club will provide hotdogs, cocoa, cider and coffee. The Christmas tree lighting is at 4:30 p.m. The event is hosted by Ione Events and Beautification.
Laclede Christmas
Laclede will celebrate its annual Christmas Tree Lighting Saturday, Nov. 30, 3-6 p.m. at the Laclede Community Center. Guests can visit with Santa Claus, drink hot cocoa, and listen to live music. There will be a village market and chances to enter and win a free shopping giveaway.
The community center is located at 24 Moore Loop.
Christmas on Main Street
The 36th Annual Christmas on Main Street will be in downtown Priest River Monday, Dec. 2, 3-7 p.m. There will be local vendors, and small businesses will be open with treats and refreshments. Santa Claus will also be present.
For more information, go to www.visitpriestriver. com or www.facebook.
com/PriestRiverChamberOfCommerce.
Create Holiday Artist Shop
Create Art Center’s Holiday Artists’ Shop is Dec. 5-7, from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 8, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. It features diverse art mediums including pottery, Kimekomi ornaments, fiber and fabric arts, wood bowls, Wild Women of the Woods characters, visual arts, copper and tin art jewelry and more. There will be refreshments and live music with Rick Hiller performing on Friday, Ben Kardos on Saturday and Joanne Heinz on Thursday and Sunday.
For more information, call 509-447-9277 or go to www.createarts.org. Create is located at 900 4th St. in Newport.
Red Neck Lights Parade
The annual Red Neck Lights Parade returns to Metaline Falls Friday, Dec. 6 at 4 p.m. Participants are encouraged to decorate the vehicle of their choice, motorized or not, with Christmas lights and other festive décor. Santa will accompany the parade followed by the tree lighting and fireworks. People in the procession should line up at the Cutter Theatre at 4 p.m.
For more information, contact Shawn Bentley at 509-217-6605 or Floyd Christman at 509-4455338. The Cutter theatre is located at 302 Park St. in Metaline Falls.
Christmas Gift and Bake Sale
Newport Christian Women’s Fellowship is hosting a Christmas Gift and Bake Sale at Newport Community Church on Friday, Dec. 6 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Saturday, Dec. 7 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Lunch will be available that Friday only from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The church is located at 430 W. Third Street.
For more information, call 509-447-4121.
Stratton Elementary Craft Fair
The Stratton Elementary School Craft Fair is Saturday, Dec. 7 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. There will be pictures with Santa, baked goods, jewelry, metal and wood art and much more from a variety of vendors.
For booth information, call Monica at 509-4470656.
Christmas in Coolin
Christmas in Coolin is Saturday, Dec. 7 (TBA), 476 Clinton Ave. There will be vendors, ornament making, hot cocoa, sleigh rides, and more.
Santa’s Workshop at Hospitality House
The fifth Annual Santa’s Workshop for ages three to 15 is Saturday, Dec. 21 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Hospitality House located at 216 S. Washington Ave. in Newport. There will be photos with Santa, a card making station, coffee, hot chocolate and apple cider. Kids shop for free.