Serving Whitman County since 1877
Serving Whitman County since 1877
St. John will mark its 25th Winterfest this Saturday, Dec. 2. Events begin at 10 a.m. and continue on through the day to end with a bang-up fireworks display. The celebration rolls on Sunday, Dec. 3, with a new event and the St. John Community Club’s Winterfest dinner and auction.
“It’s a really fun way to kick off the Christmas season,” said Amanda Webb, St. John Community Club events coordinator.
Saturday morning starts off with a craft fair at the fire station from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. More than 20 vendors are signed up so their wares can fill others’ Christmas lists. There will also be eight retail shops open with sales and specials going on.
Christmas carols will waft from a piano at the museum, filling the air with music from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Santa will make a stop at Primeland from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. for wish-listening and photo ops.
A professional face painter will be set up for free at Moments Spa with cookie decorating available while waiting for a new paint job.
Letters to Santa can be mailed from Funky Junk which will also host a glow-in-the-dark egg toss at 3:30. Winner receives a cash prize.
An ugly Christmas sweater can win a gift bag at the Two Old Gals which will have a contest to find the ugliest.
Veterans are invited to help open up the Christmas parade by meeting at Primeland at 4 to catch their ride.
The torchlight parade rolls out at 4:30 p.m. with veterans and Santa being the honored guests. Best entries and runner-ups in the adult and youth divisions receive $100 and $50 prizes.
Immediately after the parade the fireworks will ignite.
“The fireworks will be bigger and better than ever,” said Webb. Fireworks are sponsored by the St. John Community Club.
On Sunday there will be a new feature of a BINGO game at St. John City Hall to benefit the Heritage Museum. Winners will receive 50 percent payback of the pot.
Winterfest wraps up with the St. John Community Club’s Winterfest dinner and auction at the community building at 5 p.m. Proceeds will go toward the Community Club, Community Building, RV park and fairground. Dinner is for 21 and older with no-host beer and wine with a choice of prime rib or salmon. There are only 120 tickets available, so anyone wanting to attend is encouraged to call Webb at 509-648-4040 to reserve their space. Cocktail hour and silent auction begin at 5 p.m. with dinner served at 6 p.m. and live auction to follow. Auctioneer will again be Jim VanLith who has been acting as auctioneer for the event for about 15 years.
Jana Mathia is a reporter at the Whitman County Gazette.
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