Sean C. Morgan
Of The New Era
The Christmas season starts in Sweet Home this weekend with the Christmas tree lighting on Friday night, but events will be split between this weekend and next this year.
The lighting ceremony begins at 6 p.m. on Friday at East Linn Museum.
The Chamber of Commerce Christmas Parade kicks off at 11 a.m. on Saturday. The parade will travel along Long Street between 18th and 10th avenues.
After the parade until 4 p.m., Santa Claus will appear at the Chamber of Commerce for photos. Photos with Santa cost $4 each.
At 6 p.m., the Sweet Home Alumni Foundation will hold its annual Decorated Christmas Tree Auction for scholarships at the high school cafeteria.
Participants will enjoy food and beverages during a silent auction starting at 6 p.m. That will be followed by the live Christmas tree auction at 7:30 p.m.
The cost is $15 per person. Tickets are available at the door or in advance at the Linn-Benton Community College Sweet Home Center.
The trees may be previewed from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday.
The proceeds provide scholarships to Sweet Home High School’s graduating seniors.
For information, call Coreen at 367-6235 or Alice at 367-6901.
Four bazaars are planned.
Sweet Home Evangelical Church and the Friends of the Library, at the Public Library, will hold their bazaars from 9 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday.
East Linn Museum’s bazaar runs from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the high school activity gym.
Samaritan Wiley Creek Community will hold a bazaar from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The annual Singing Christmas Tree program will run Dec. 7 to Dec. 9, with shows at 7:30 p.m. on Dec. 7 and 8 and 3 p.m. on Dec. 9 in the Sweet Home High School auditorium.
“It’s the smallest choir we’ve ever had, but we have a mighty sound,” board chairwoman Sue Olson said. The tree has 23 singers performing under the theme, “Cards, Games and Gingerbread.”
David Dominy is directing the choir. Molly Laycock and Cheri Pickett are directing the junior choir.
Terry Lowen is the new pianist, succeeding Bill Langdon.
The Church of Christ at 18th and Long will present a play at 7 p.m. on Dec. 9 with an informal dress rehearsal open to the public at 7 p.m. on Dec. 6.
The play, “Treasure Mansion, a Christmas Mystery,” was written by church member Diane McIntosh.
“A wacky family is summoned to their ancestral home for a holiday weekend to find a treasure that promises to make them rich in ways they have never dreamt of,” she said. “Their search reveals the true riches of Christmas.”
Christmas carols will follow the play. The entire program will be about an hour long, with the play running 40 to 45 minutes.
The Chamber of Commerce will run a holiday gift drawing for community members right after the parade at approximately 12:15 p.m. in Mollies parking lot.
The goal is to bring the people of the community together in the spirit of the season, according to the Chamber. It’s an opportunity to watched the parade, visit with neighbors and friends, visit with Santa and possibly go home with a prize.
Tickets will be sold at the location for $1 per ticket, $5 for six tickets and $20 for “fingertip to fingertip.”
Local merchants have donated prizes, including two turkeys, two hams, stuffed animals and gift certificates for the Skyline, The Point, McDonald’s and Seamingly Creative.