Jingle Bell Bash
The Sweet Home Kids Free Christmas Store will host a “Jingle Bell Bash” from 6-8 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 13, at RezRock, 1621 53rd Ave., Foster.
There will be karaoke, a huge saran wrap ball, ugly sweater contest and trivia, plus food, prizes, more. Cost is $10 for 18 and over, $5 for 12-18, and free for kids under 12.
For more info call 541.409.4276.
Fall Leaf Pick-Up
The City of Sweet Home’s annual fall leaf pick-up runs until Dec. 13.
Leaves need to be raked to the side of the street in a neat pile. Any piles that contain other debris such as sticks or animal waste will not be picked up – this is for leaves only.
To request a pick-up, email [email protected] or call 541.367.6359. Service may be requested as many times as needed during the program’s active period. Crews will get to the pile as soon as they are able based on their daily workload, and pickups will be scheduled from Monday to Friday of each week.
Holiday Square Dance
The Sweet Home Squarenaders will host a Christmas Dance Open House and Toy Drive Fundraiser from 6:30-9 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 14, at the Foster School gym, 5526 Poplar St.
Learn about square dancing and experience the fun, dancing, and laughing with old and newly-found friends.
Proceeds benefit the Sweet Home Fire Department. For more information, contact Rod Stidham at 541.367.4939.
Party for Jesus
Sweet Home Evangelical Church will host Jesus’ Birthday Party from 2-5 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 14, in the church’s activity center, 1347 Long St.
The party is geared toward children aged 4 to sixth grade.
Holiday Vendor Event
Bodacious Babes Breast Cancer Committee will host a holiday craft and vendor event on Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 14 (10 a.m. to 4 p.m.) and Dec. 15 (10 a.m. to 3 p.m.), at the high school’s activity gym, 1641 Long St.
Mini Market
The 3rd Saturday Mini Market will be open from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. until Dec. 21 at The Rez, 1621 53rd Ave., Foster.
Open every third Saturday of the month, vendors offer items such as sourdough bread, soaps, crafts, jewelry, cookies and wellness products.
Holiday Light Competition
Julegård: The Christmas Farm and the Sweet Home Chamber of Commerce will host the “Let it Glow” holiday light competition from until Jan. 5. To register your home, visit https://bit.ly/3Zb57lW.
Parade of Lights
The annual Parade of Lights will be held at 6 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 14, in downtown Sweet Home along Main and Long streets.
This year’s theme, “Sweet Lights & Ginger Delights,” celebrates the sweetness of Sugar City with a dazzling display of gingerbread and candy-themed floats. Get ready to light up the night with creativity and color.
Let your creativity sparkle by creating larger-than-life gingerbread figures and candyland scenes. For more information, and to register (a $10 fee), visit https://bit.ly/3Cqrt9V.
Participants are urged to: incorporate gingerbread and candy elements into the float, such as gingerbread houses, candy canes, gumdrops, lollipops, and candy swirls; use bright, colorful lighting with a minimum of 1,000 lights per float to ensure the gingerbread and candy designs shine in the nighttime parade; and use oversized props and costumes.
‘The Innkeepers’ Play
Playwright Satina Tolman brings back her nativity story, “The Innkeepers,” on Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 14-15, at the Sweet Home High School auditorium, 1641 Long St.
Immerse yourself in a mesmerizing journey as the innkeeper and his wife retell the nativity story from their unique perspective, a story that reminds us of the power of compassion, love and the true meaning of Christmas. With its captivating narrative, heartwarming characters and inspiring songs, “The Innkeepers” promises to be a must-attend event this holiday season.
Admission is free. Shows will be performed Saturday, Dec. 14, at 3-4:30 p.m. and 7-8:30 p.m., and on Sunday, Dec. 15 at 3-4:30 p.m.
For more information and updates, visit the Facebook event page at Facebook.com/theinnkeeperssweethome. For inquiries or to become a sponsor, contact Satina via email at [email protected] or [email protected].
Bodacious Babes Craft Event
The Bodacious Babes Breast Cancer Committee will host a Holiday Craft & Vendor Event on Saturday, Dec. 14 (10 a.m. to 4 p.m.), and Sunday, Dec. 15 (10 a.m. to 3 p.m.), at the high school activity gym, 1641 Long St.
A Bodacious Babes Sale will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 21, in the Commons at Sweet Home High School, 1641 Long St.
The event is free. All are welcome to check out the plus-sized clothing, along with wares offered by home-based business vendors, handmade crafts and miscellaneous items.
Raffle prizes will be handed out and a 50/50 drawing will be held to support a local breast cancer event.
Pool’s ‘Santa Splash’ Event
The Sweet Home Community Pool will host a family rec swim event, “Santa Splash,” from 1-3 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 15, 1641 Long St.
In addition to swimming, there will be a hot cocoa station, the opportunity to create an ornament and/or snowflake, and a coloring station. Santa and Mrs. Claus will be available for photos.
Cost is $10 per child. Purchase tickets in advance at the pool; event is limited to the first 100 children, and children must be accompanied by an adult.
Fundraisers for Habitat for Humanity
Fundraisers to benefit Lebanon Area Habitat for Humanity will be held this year through a variety of options.
Sunday, Dec. 22: Habitat will host “Holiday Bingo” from 3-5 p.m. at Tallman Brewing, 2055 Primrose St., and 50% of proceeds from the games goes to Habitat.
Tuesday, Dec. 31: Panda Express at 1990 S Main St., Lebanon, will donate 20% of your order to Habitat when you show them Habitat’s flier (found at https://bit.ly/3Zdw9sW), or if ordering online, use code 381837.
Deliver for Meals on Wheels
Meals on Wheels of Sweet Home is in urgent need of volunteer drivers, delivering free meals to local seniors and disabled adults in the Sweet Home area.
Delivery days are Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays. The role is best suited for people available in the mid-day, as meals go out at noon. Volunteers work one to two days a week for about 2.5 hours each shift.
Meals on Wheels is managed by Oregon Cascades West Council of Governments and operated by local volunteers. Volunteers package fresh meals in the kitchen and the drivers deliver them. Many local people count on this food as a primary source of nutrition.
For more information or to apply, stop by the Senior Center, email [email protected], or call 541.812.6015.
Donation Drive for Children
Mrs. Claus and The Elves Toy Workshop hosts a donation drive for the Sweet Home School Closet to help keep the school stocked with book bags, school supplies, hats, scarves, coats, gloves, etc. for change of weather now upon us for children in need. Donations can be dropped off at 925 Long St. Apt. 1.
Square Dance
Sweet Home Squarenaders will host square dance lessons on Sundays from 2:45-4:30 p.m. at the Foster Elementary School gym, 5526 Poplar St.
First two lessons are free; $5 per lesson thereafter. No partner required. Mainstream level for beginners. Graduation in January. For more information, contact Rod Stidham at 541.367.4939.
Volunteers, Donations Needed at Museum
East Linn Museum is seeking volunteers and items that are needed for the operation of the museum.
The museum needs volunteers for its operations to replace retiring volunteers. New volunteers are not required to know anything about the museum or how to operate a computer. The museum operates three days a week from Thursday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Supplies needed by the museum include: copy paper, postage stamps, legal size envelopes, paper towels, toilet paper, glass cleaner, all purpose cleaner and Ajax.
For more information, call the museum at 541.367.4580.
Animal Rescue Volunteers Needed
Linn County Animal Rescue needs volunteers for its nonprofit work outside Lebanon. For those interested in a rewarding time spent with animals, consider joining LCAR which has horses, minis, cows, sheep and senior dogs. There are two shifts a day, morning and afternoon. Volunteers can work with the livestock or dogs, or both.
Donations and sponsorships are also welcomed. For more information, visit lcarhorse.org or call 541.258.3422.
Community Dinners
Sunshine Industries invites the public to a free dinner every Monday from 5:30-6:30 p.m. at 1333 Clark Mill Road. Because everyone matters.