Colfax Winterfest slated for this weekend

COLFAX - The Chamber of Commerce is hosting a day full of cheer on Saturday, Dec. 7, with the annual Winterfest.

Starting at 9:15 a.m. registration for the Run Run Rudolf 5K and Kids 1-mile hosted by Colfax Friends of the Parks, will start at Schmuck Park, East 6th Street. The race starts at 10 a.m. and the 1-mile at 10:15 a.m.

The Whitman County Library is hosting activities for all ages to kick-off the holiday season during Winterfest.

Those who attend can tour the "Festival of Trees," in the Libey Gallery at 10 a.m. and vote for their favorite decorated tree.

The library is hosting Santa this year from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. for "Selfies with Santa" in the downstairs meeting room.

Cookies and cocoa from Whitman Hospital and Medical Clinics are available from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. in the Center.

The "Not-So-Silent-Night-Party" will include ornament making from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. in The Center and Nichole Kopp will read "Twas the Night Before Christmas" right after the community favorite tree is announced.

From 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. an indoor Christmas vendor market will take place, with indoor shopping at the Colfax Eagles, 217 North Main Street.

"The Viking Fest is new," said Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Rachel Schad.

The Viking Fest will take place from noon to 2 p.m., with lunch served and a competition for the "longest beard," and "best Viking costume," beginning at 1 p.m.

Those who want to make lefse, a traditional Norwegian flatbread made from mashed potatoes, flour, butter and other ingredients, can join 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 8, free of charge at the Lutheran Church, 309 North Lake Street.

Schad said the Dessert and Wine Pairing is also a new event being put on by The Cellar.

From 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. desserts will be available from Double J Ranch Thursday, Dec. 5 through Dec. 7.

Hours will vary on Thursday, Dec. 5, and Mulled Wine will be available during Winterfest Day, Saturday, Dec. 7.

At 5:30 p.m. a Tree Lighting will take place at the Codger Pole, 398 South Main Street.

"The tree lighting is going to be fun," said Schad, noting they will be doing caroling and passing out candy canes.

From 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. the Colfax First Baptist, 200 North Mill Street, will host bonfires, s'mores and cocoa.

Winterfest will end at 6:30 p.m., with the fireworks finale and a parade hosted by the Colfax Downtown Association and the City of Colfax.

Parade line-up starts on South Mill Street and turns onto Main Street, ending on Upton Street.

Fireworks will be sponsored by City of Colfax, Folsom Ace hardware, Colfax Downtown Association and Colfax Main Street Meat Company.

"We hope to see everybody there. It's going to be a fun year," Schad said. "We've got a lot of fun events. Hopefully it will be some nice weather not too chilly."