8 Destination Rainier a supplement to the Nisqually Valley News
First Saturday in Dec. is always eventful Each year, Yelm residents look forward to the first Saturday in December as a way to ring in the holiday season as a community. On Saturday, Dec. 3, 2011 residents of Yelm will celebrate a community Christmas in a way that’s uniquely Yelm. Residents continue a traditional kids’ parade, which includes marching students from area schools, entries by local police and fire departments, offerings from businesses, political candidates, the Yelm High School Marching Band and more. With luck, winter rain clouds behave long enough for
hundreds to take part in the parade, which runs through downtown Yelm. And, if they’re lucky, the community may have big snowflakes fall as an omen to the coming winter. After the parade, the community gathers at Yelm City Park for a one-day social event. Civic and business leaders introduce the city’s Youths of the Year and Youth Good Citizenship award winners. Yelm youth are also recognized for their essay writing skills during a contest that usually centers around their Christmas memories and family traditions.
Your future starts
Here! Senior care beyond compare since 1999
A special place to live with special people who care...
360-458-2800
311 Cullens Rd. NW • Yelm, WA 98597
11-445692L
Assisted Living & Alzheimer Care
2010 File Photo
The bonfire at Yelm City Park attracts visitors who wish to warm up during Christmas in the Park.
Local school choirs and bands take the stage to offer their Christmas wishes through music and song. In the weeks leading up to Christmas in the Park, the best-decorated businesses and residences in town compete for awards for holiday spirit. Christmas in the Park features day-long amusements, including a free photo with Santa, booths, games and entertainment. There are no costs associated with Christmas in the Park; everything’s free. “The program is a gift from local organizations, the chamber and city to its community,” said Cecelia Jenkins, executive director of the Yelm Area Chamber of Commerce. “This is the one event in the year where everything is free.”
“There is absolutely no fundraising.” Treats including hot dogs, cocoa and cider are distributed throughout the day, while supplies last. As children play in the park, make crafts, or wrap a free book for a friend at the Friends of the Yelm Library booth, the park becomes a candy lane with entries in the gingerbread house contest, which is open to all ages. Construction can be tasty, as kids generally help themselves to the building materials. The day is topped off with an evening tree-lighting blessing from a local pastor. A bonfire is kept lit throughout the day, which is the prime location for everyone to sing carols.