Ethan Hoagland
As a snow storm brewed over the Santiam Pass, Sweet Home officially kicked off the Christmas season with the lighting of the city Christmas tree at city hall. Too low for the snow, the hearth of holiday cheer provided a bulwark for community members against the cold, persistent rain.
To help lift spirits, the Sweet Home Singing Christmas Tree choir came down from the branches to guide a sing-along with eager attendees. The night’s fare began with Jingle Bells, and the warm din of the community’s voices rose over the pitter patter of the December drizzle.
Several dozen people gathered under canopies and city hall’s awning to watch the tree lighting. While the choir transitioned into “Here Comes Santa Claus,” excitement broke out as the big man himself came out to greet children gathered before city hall.
When it came time to light the tree, City Manager Kelcey Young handed the reins over to five-year-old Levi, whose family had just moved to Sweet Home from Scio.
“He’s been very excited all week,” Levi’s mother Jordan said. “We feel very welcome in Sweet Home. We were kinda nervous because we’re from Scio, but we love it. And it was super awesome to do that.”
Levi himself said the opportunity was exciting, but he was far more eager to see Santa, who had moved into the building to hear gift wishes from the children and take pictures.
Sunshine Espresso provided hot drinks within the city hall lobby.
“There’s not much more that I love than Christmas in our town,” Kayla Rosa, owner of Sunshine Espresso said.
The town will certainly be busy for the month of December. The first of the month also saw the start of the Let It Glow holiday light competition. That runs through Jan. 5.
Dec. 2 was awash with the spirit of giving. Shop with a Cop, the Kids Free Christmas Store, the Tree for Scholarships at the Jingle Ball all took place that Saturday, providing ample outlets for generosity. If that wasn’t enough, the Singing Christmas Tree gave their first performance in the tree at Sweet Home High School, before following up with a Sunday matinee.
The Clauses also stuck around for the weekend, offering picture opportunities both Saturday and Sunday.
This weekend promises another round of community celebration. Citizens can catch a free, locally written and produced musical, “The Innkeepers” on Dec. 9 and 10. You can find more details about the show and author Satina Tolman in this edition of the newspaper.
Also on the docket for Saturday, Dec. 9: the 2023 Holiday Craft Boutique at The Club, family story time at the Sweet Home Public Library and, of course, the Parade of Lights.