It’s Christmas time in Sweet Home and things kicked off Saturday, Nov. 29, with the city Tree Lighting at City Hall. There’s a lot more to come and here are some events to look forward to and participate in:
Let It Glow Holiday Lights
Decorate your home — or nominate a festive favorite — to be included on a Holiday Lights Map produced by the Chamber of Commerce.
Each home entered is automatically added to a raffle for a gift card from local Realtor Karla Hogan. A raffle drawing will be held Dec. 20. No judging, just community cheer!
Register on the Chamber of Commerce website at at www.sweethomechamber.com/events/eventcalendar.
Christmas bell ringers needed
Sweet Home Emergency Ministries is seeking bell ringers to staff Salvation Army donation buckets during the holiday season in Sweet Home.
Individuals, businesses, churches, civic groups or school groups are invited to sponsor a Tuesday or Saturday, through Dec. 20, at the Sweet Home Bi-Mart (west-end exit) from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Four-hour slots can be divided up as sponsors wish, but they must be staffed during that period.
Proceeds go to SHEM programs that provide backpacks and supplies to local children in the fall.
SHEM staff will deliver and pick up the bell and kettle stand for each stint. Ringers are free to wear holiday attire, sing carols and generally provide festive cheer. Sponsors are welcome to bring a modest sign to display their group or business name.
For more information or to reserve a date, contact Cindy Rice at (541) 409-2803 or Julie Dedman at (541) 409-9093.
Singing Christmas Tree
The 43rd Annual Sweet Home Community Singing Christmas Tree will present three concerts this weekend, featuring a wide range of holiday favorites.
This year’s theme is “Let’s Celebrate Christmas.”
Concerts are at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 5, and Saturday, Dec. 6, and at 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 7, at the Sweet Home High School Auditorium, 1641 Long St.
The event also includes a visit from Santa and a variety of fun aimed at youngsters.
The event is free but donations will be accepted, with proceeds going to the Sweet Home Pregnancy Center.
Christmas Bazaar
Sweet Home Christian Church will host a Christmas Bazaar from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday, Dec. 5, at 1825 Long St.
Wreaths, Gingerbread Craft Day
The American Legion Timber City Post 133 will host a Wreaths and Gingerbread Craft Day from 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6, at its new post headquarters in the former Fir Lawn Lutheran Church building at 109 W Holley Road.
Create a holiday wreath or decorate your own gingerbread house. Wreaths are $20 each, and gingerbread houses are $15 each. Supplies are provided, and families are encouraged to craft together.
Hint: Gingerbread houses can be entered in the Sweet Home Chamber of Commerce Gingerbread Competition (see below).
Sweet Home Evangelical Christmas Trees
The Evangelical Church men’s group will hold their annual Christmas Tree sale starting after noon Saturday, Dec. 6.
Trees generally arrive about 1 p.m. and will be on sale in the parking lot off 14th Avenue and Kalmia Street as long as supplies last. Cost is $10 per tree.
Jingle Ball Trees for Scholarships Auction
The annual Jingle Ball Trees for Scholarships auction event will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6, at the Boys & Girls Club Gym, 890 18th Ave.
Hosted by the Sweet Home Alumni Foundation, the event has raised well over half a million dollars to fund scholarships for Sweet Home High School graduates aiming for higher education.
General admission doors open at 5 p.m. VIP guests will have an expedited check-in and check-out lane that opens at 4 p.m. Festive cocktail dress attire is requested.
At press time, tickets were in short supply. Check on prices and availability at www.sweethomechamber.com/events/eventcalendar and click the “learn more” button.
A silent auction will include many items to bid on, and Christmas trees decorated by local artists will be auctioned off.
Angila Tack will provide the dinner and Moore Family Vineyards and Nessie Bar Co. will provide beverages.
Themed baskets or items for the silent auction can be dropped off at the Chamber Office through Dec. 4 or at the Boys and Girls Club between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. on Dec. 5. For more information, contact Lauri at (541) 401-3148 or Sharon at (541) 401-1099.
Holiday Craft Fair and Vendor Event
Sponsored by Bodacious Babes Breast Cancer Committee, this will take place from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 7, in the Activity Gym at Sweet Home High School, 1641 Long St.
The event will feature handmade crafts, baked goods, antiques, a coffee cart and cookies, jewelry, metal work, woodworking items, Christmas sécor and much more.
Proceeds will go to a young local woman who is battling breast cancer.
Free Photo with Santa
Heaven’s Jewel Photography is offering a free family photo with Santa from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6, at 610 Main St.
The studio is located inside the former DanDee Sales building, which now also houses Dad Bod Detailing.
Pizza will be available as well.
Free Christmas Store for Kids
The 11th Annual Sweet Home Kids Free Christmas Store will take place from 9:30 a.m. through 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6, at Sweet Home Charter School on 28721 Liberty Road.
The store is open for Sweet Home kids ages 2 through 17. Kids shop free for the family they live with.
Once participants check in, they will be given a ticket with an opportunity to win a prize. They are then assigned to a personal shopper to take them around to the tables with gifts to select for the family they live with. The gifts are then wrapped while they wait. They are also given a bag of nutritious snacks and given an opportunity to make a craft.
Sweet Home Charter School will offer a concession stand for parents and the public while they wait.
For more information, contact Nancy Patton at (541) 409-4276.
Breakfast with Santa and the Elks
The Sweet Home Elks Lodge will host Breakfast with Santa from 8 to 11 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 7, at 440 Osage St.
Cost for the general public is $9. The menu includes pancakes, biscuits and gravy, eggs, bacon, sausage, coffee, and juice.
Photos with Santa are warmly welcomed.
Pajama collection
The Sweet Home Chamber of Commerce will be a collection site to accept donations of pajamas for youth in Linn County foster care.
All sizes are needed, from newborn to XXXL. This is CASA’s annual pajama drive. For more information, visit linncasa.org/pajama-drive.
The chamber is open Tues-Fri, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., located at 1575 Main St. Donations accepted until Dec. 12.
Jesus’ Birthday Party
Sweet Home Evangelical Church will host Jesus’ Birthday Party from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 13, at the church Activity Center, 1347 Long St.
Parking is also available off Kalmia Street at 14th Avenue.
The free event is open to all children. The celebration of the first Christmas will include a Shepherd’s Pond, face painting, cookie decorating, gift and card making, a prize ball and games.
Gingerbread competition
Got baking skills? Demonstrate them at the seventh annual Gingerbread Competition sponsored by Julegard: The Christmas Farm and the Sweet Home Chamber of Commerce.
Entries will be judged on Saturday, Dec. 13, in the following categories: Child (5-8), Youth (9-12), Teen (13-17), Adult (18-plus), Group/Family and People’s Choice.
Entries can be dropped off between 1 and 3 p.m. at the Chamber of Commerce, 1575 Main St. Judging begins at 3:15. Public viewing and People’s Choice voting will take place from 4 to 7 p.m.
For more information and to sign up, visit sweethomechamber.com/events/eventcalendar.
Parade of Lights
The annual Parade of Lights will start at 6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 13, in downtown Sweet Home along Main and Long streets.
This year’s theme, “Candyland,” celebrates the sweetness of Sugar City with gingerbread- and candy-themed floats.
Those interested in participating with their own float may contact the Chamber of Commerce by calling (541) 367-6186, emailing [email protected], or stopping in at 1575 Main St. during office hours, Tuesday-Friday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Participants are encouraged to incorporate gingerbread and candy elements into their floats, such as gingerbread houses, candy canes, gumdrops, lollipops, and candy swirls. Bright, colorful lighting is a must. A minimum of 1,000 lights per float is recommended to ensure that gingerbread and candy designs shine in the nighttime parade. Oversized props and costumes are encouraged.
Carol Service on Elm Street
Elm Street Baptist Church will host its annual Christmas Carol Service at 5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 14, at 1150 Elm St.
The public is invited. This is a participation event, including the congregational singing of a variety of traditional Christmas carols, Scripture readings and a short message all focused on the celebration and meaning of the advent of Jesus Christ.
Food will be served after the service.
‘The Innkeepers’ on Stage
“The Innkeepers,” a drama based on the story of the Nativity from a fresh perspective, will be staged four times on Dec. 20-21 at Sweet Home High School Auditorium, 1641 Long St.
The musical play is written by local resident and author Satina Tolman and features music composed by local artists. Show times are 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. on both Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 20 and 21.
Admission is free but donations are accepted. The event is sponsored by SHOCASE.
Miracle of Christmas Drive-Thru
Community Chapel at Ames Creek will host The Miracle of Christmas from 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 21, at 42250 Ames Creek Road.
Participants will drive through the free lighted event in their vehicles as volunteers serve up cookies, hot chocolate, candy canes and pillowcases for kids 12 and under, as well as Bibles. The focus will be the story of the birth of Jesus Christ.