Your Hometown News Source
Your Hometown News Source
DAYTON– Once again, the coronavirus will make the year 2020 one to remember.
This community's long-time favorite holiday event, the Chamber of Commerce-sponsored Christmas Kickoff has been kicked in the shins by COVID-19 restrictions. That doesn't mean Our Fair City won't be celebrating the yuletide holiday.
"We do however have a few festivities planned for the holiday season," says Chamber Manager Molly Weatherill-Tate.
A Lighted Christmas Cruise is set for Friday, Nov. 27. Everyone is invited to participate, Weatherill-Tate says. To join in the physical-distanced fun, decorate on your car, truck, golf cart, bus or ATV with lights and other Christmas accoutrements and gather at the Dayton Sports Complex on South Cottonwood at 5:30 p.m.
"We'll follow the same route we used for the All Wheels Cruise back in June," Weatherill-Tate said. The route will be posted and advertised prior to the event, which is expected to start at 6 p.m. No need to pre-register for the cruise.
Don't despair, holiday revelers! There will be fireworks, but at a time closer to Christmas. Fireworks will take place on Saturday, Dec. 19, Weatherill-Tate said. Spectators are encouraged to view the fireworks and follow social distancing guidelines and wear masks. Pacific Power is again the sponsor of the fireworks exhibition this year.
The Chamber will strive to promote local shopping, according to Weatherill-Tate. An online Dayton Holiday Marketplace website is being developed which will allow any business to feature items for sale. For more information, contact the Chamber at [email protected] or 509-382-4825. The plan is to launch the site by Friday, Nov. 20. Items submitted after that date can still be added to the website.
The idea is that items will be "displayed" with a brief description of the item and an image. Each business may submit multiple items. If an item sells, the business will be notified and pickup or delivery options determined. Delivery through Columbia County Public Transportation may be an option, depending on the location of the business.
The website will be promoted with payments made to the Chamber and distributed to businesses. If credit cards are used for payments, credit card fees will apply.
Local businesses along Dayton's Main Street will be as festive as ever with some decorations already going up, Weatherill-Tate said. "And although we won't be able to hold the indoor Festival of Trees this year, the Chamber will loan out trees to any business interested in decorating a tree for their window."
Organizations who would like to decorate a tree can also contact the Chamber. If there is enough interest, a Festival of Trees Walking Tour will be promoted.
