GUERNSEY—Hoping for weather just a bit warmer than last December, the work is well underway for this year’s Winter’s Eve Festival, set for Wednesday, December 6th in downtown Guernsey.

The evening is packed full of activities to officially open the Christmas season, including some special new additions to this year’s fare.

Events kick off at 4 p.m. at Guernsey-Sunrise High School in the commons area where you’ll find the Parade of Christmas Trees, a display of decorated Christmas trees done by businesses, groups and individuals.  The public will vote for the winning entries in the People’s Choice, Non-Traditional and Best Use of Theme categories.  This year’s Winter’s Eve theme is Polar Express.  Some trees have been designated for auction to benefit for charitable use.  Trees will be on display from 4 to 6:30 p.m.  It’s not too late to enter—if you’d like to participate, please call Lori at Tri-City Parks and Rec or Cheryl at Guernsey Community Education—both may be reached at 836-2736. 

In addition to the Christmas Trees, a performance by the WYO RING Hand Bell Choir is scheduled for the commons area from 4:45 to 5:45 p.m.  This is sure to be one of the highlights of the evening—don’t miss out on a chance to see and hear a very unique show!

Be sure to allow a few minutes to get a bowl of chili in the multi-purpose room as members of the Guernsey-Sunrise junior class will be holding a fundraiser chili supper to help cover the costs of prom and related activities.

Scheduled to begin at 6 p.m., then it’s time to head uptown to the Gordon Davis Park band shell where there will be a reading of The Polar Express and the official lighting of the town’s Christmas tree.  There will also be story reading for the little ones in the Guernsey public library beginning at 6 p.m. 

At 6:30 p.m., check-in and line-up will begin in front of Guernsey-Sunrise Elementary School for the entries in the annual illuminated parade.  Parade officials will be on hand to direct you to your places and the parade will head up Wyoming Avenue at 7 p.m.   Registration forms are available now throughout the community and are due no later than Tuesday, December 5th at 4 p.m.  Additional parade information is on the registration form and elsewhere in the edition of the Gazette.

Warming fire pits will be placed in the downtown area near the intersection of Wyoming Avenue and Sunrise Street to keep everyone comfortable before and during the parade. 

At the close of the parade, head into the Guernsey Senior Center for cookies and drinks and join in some old-fashioned Christmas caroling.  Don’t forget to vote for your favorite Gingerbread House while you’re there.  Anyone is welcome to enter the Gingerbread House contest.  Your entry must be made of edible material--no cardboard structures allowed.  They will be displayed at the Senior Center—drop your entry off any weekday between the hours of 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. beginning this week.

Another tradition during Winter’s Eve is the open house held at Oregon Trail Bank from 6 to 8 p.m.  They will have live music, desserts and drinks, door prizes and Santa will be available for free pictures throughout the evening.   Be sure to stop in and say hi to the bank staff, get your name in the box for a chance to win a nice door prize, and let Santa know what’s on your list for Christmas!

The Winter’s Eve celebration is sponsored by Guernsey Economic and Tourism Development, Tri-City Parks and Recreation and The Town of Guernsey.