Following are some of the holiday events scheduled in the surrounding area over the next month:
December
— Christmas Storybook Land welcomes people of all ages to its 45th presentation from Dec. 3-17 at the Linn County Fair & Expo Center, 3700 Knox Butte Road E., Albany. This year will be a drive-through experience featuring indoor and outdoor Christmas forest wonderlands with over 100 scenes of characters from Mother Goose rhymes, children’s fairy tales and family movies, two elaborate model train displays, a Victorian village, and the North Pole with Santa and Mrs. Claus. Entry is free, and candy canes will be passed out for the kids. Canned food donations will be accepted during the event. For more information, visit ChristmasStorybookLand.org.
— Horse and craft sale: The 15th annual Cowboy Christmas Tack and Horsey Craft Sale is from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 4, at Hand in Hand Farm, 35105 Ede Road. Some 20 vendors will sell new and used horse tack, horse-related items, Christmas, country, and western-themed gifts and decor. Vendors make donations to support Hand In Hand Farm’s ministry. For more information, send a message through the Cowboy Christmas Facebook page, email staff@handinhandfarm, or call (541) 451-1243.
— Lebanon Holidays in the Park: This year’s theme for Holidays in the Park is “A Candyland Christmas,” from 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 4, at Ralston Park in Lebanon. Santa Claus, horse drawn carriage rides, food and entertainment are part of the fun. Lebanon’s Twilight Parade starts at 5:15 p.m., with floats running south through downtown from Vine and Main streets, left onto Maple Street, and finishing a northern route on Park Street. The lighting of the tree takes place immediately after the parade.
— Christmas quilt raffle: A raffle drawing will be held Friday, Dec. 10, for a 92-inch by 94-inch red and white quilt from Rhonda Nicholas and Finally Together Quilt. Proceeds will be used for Christmas food baskets for families working with the Linn County Juvenile Department.Tickets cost $5 each, and can be purchased before Dec. 10 at the Linn County Juvenile Department during normal business hours at 104 SW 4th Ave., room 200, Albany, or at Finally Together Quilt, 54 W. Ash St., Lebanon. For more information, email [email protected].
— Lacomb Holiday Bazaar: Held Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 18-19, at the Grange Hall, 34095 E. Lacomb Road, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. This inaugural event will feature local crafters’ creations. Food and drink will be available. Openings for vendors are available. Contact Alexius Melton via Facebook.
— Candy Cane Express Santiam Excursion Train: The railroad hosts a one-hour train ride from Dec. 10-19 with Santa and Mrs. Claus, hot cocoa, candy canes, and an arts and crafts station. Bar beverages and popcorn can be purchased. Tickets are $20-$27; no cost for active military and veterans.
A limited number of tickets are available for a more intimate, two-hour VIP event on Friday, Dec. 10 and 17, which includes a catered buffet, hot cocoa, sweet treat, VIP gift, and a visit with Santa Claus. Tickets are $50-$85; cost for active military and veterans is free on coach only.
Meet at the train station, 750 S. 3rd St. Purchase tickets ahead of time online at http://www.dynamicticketsolutions.com/set/index-responsive.cfm?pgfn=calendarList (or visit santiamexcursiontrains.com, click on “Tickets,” and make selections from the drop down lists).
— Ugly Sweater Express: Find the ugliest Christmas sweater to wear for this adult-only train ride from 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 18. Tickets are $25-45, and includes heavy appetizers, music. A full bar will be available.
Meet at the train station, 750 S. 3rd St. Purchase tickets ahead of time online at http://www.dynamicticketsolutions.com/set/index-responsive.cfm?pgfn=calendarList (or visit santiamexcursiontrains.com, click on “Tickets,” and make selections from the drop down lists).
— Christmas paintball: The Swamp hosts “Wreck Your Balls” paintball game from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 19, at S&F Paintball Field, 38488 Shady Oak Lane. There will be games themed to the storyline, which will be posted on their Facebook page at Facebook.com/Swamp.PB. Games generally have a 20-minute format.
Field fee is $25 for those bringing their own equipment and paint. See the Facebook page for equipment rental and paint purchase costs. Pre-register and sign a waiver online at snfscenarios.com. Kids aged 13 and under must be accompanied by an adult.
For more information, call (541) 409-0511, email [email protected], or visit snfscenarios.com.
— Pajama Train Ride: Santiam Excursions hosts a one-hour Christmas Eve Pajama Ride at 4:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 24, with Santa and Mrs. Claus, hot cocoa, candy canes, and an arts and crafts station. Bar beverages and popcorn can be purchased. Tickets are $20-$27; no cost for active military and veterans.
Meet at the train station, 750 S. 3rd St. Purchase tickets ahead of time online at http://www.dynamicticketsolutions.com/set/index-responsive.cfm?pgfn=calendarList (or visit santiamexcursiontrains.com, click on “Tickets,” and make selections from the drop- down lists).