NORTH COUNTY – North Okanogan County communities plan their Christmas tree light-ups this weekend, with Tonasket’s on Friday, Nov. 30 at Founder’s Park and Oroville’s on Saturday, Dec. 1 at Centennial Park.

In Tonasket, the official Winterfest event, sponsored by the Tonasket Chamber of Commerce, runs from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Friday.

One of the highlights is the arrival of Santa Claus on a fire truck at 6 p.m. at the park (corner of S. Whitcomb and 3rd Street) followed by rides on the fire truck for the kids. Santa will also hang around for the tree lighting and the Tonasket Eagles will be sponsoring wood cutting contests at the park beginning at 6 p.m.

There will be Christmas carolers at the park beginning at 5:30 p.m. with free hot chocolate provided by the Tonasket Kiwanis.

The Oroville Chamber of Commerce is again sponsoring the annual Oroville Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony which is Saturday starting at 5 p.m.

“Come kick off the Christmas Season by joining us at Centennial Park (on Main St., between 14th and Central) for our annual Christmas Tree Lighting,” said Oroville Chamber President Clyde Andrews.

The decorations for the tree were being done by chamber and Streetscape members last Monday and Tuesday in preparation for Saturday’s tree lighting. Everyone is invited to bring their own personal decorations for the tree leading up to, and at, Saturday’s tree lighting.

The Okanagan International Choir will have a quartet present that will lead people in Christmas Carols on Saturday. There will also be free hot dogs and hot chocolate for all served up by Linda and David Darrow.  

The chambers of both towns are encouraging people to attend the holiday bazaars going on the same night, shop local and to take advantage of the the other activities going on in Oroville (see page 4) and Tonasket (see pages 12 and 13).