Christmas Kickoff: Retail businesses open late Friday night to welcome shoppers

The Ritzville Area Chamber of Commerce has a full weekend of events and activities planned in conjunction with other organizations for the official Christmas Kickoff Weekend to herald the season.

At 5:30 p.m. this Friday, Dec. 6, the place to be is at the intersection of Main Avenue and Washington Street for the official lighting of the Community Christmas Tree. Mayor Linda Kadlec will have the honor of lighting the tree.

Caroling at the tree will begin around 5:45 p.m. with the leadership of the Ritzville Community Choir.

After the carols, the event festivities continue and people can warm up with coffee, hot chocolate, homemade spiced cider and cookies at the chamber office, 111 West Main Avenue.

After the tree lighting and caroling, several local businesses are staying open and will offer specials from 5 to 7 p.m.

Check with each business for the holiday special or look for an ad in this issue of The Ritzville Adams County Journal.

The list of businesses staying open late are:

Downtown: Remember When…?, Family Video and Variety Store, Ritzville Pastime, Ritzville’s Pretty Good Grocery, Amore Skin Care and Nail Spa, The Hair Center, Memories Diner.

First Avenue: Bronco Farm Supply, Harvest Foods, Ritzville Hardware.

Southeast Hill: Starbucks, McDonald’s, Love’s Travel Stops, Brew Happy, Ritz Food Mart, The Ritz Roadhouse, Cow Creek Mercantile/Spike’s Deli & Pizza, Zip’s Drive-In.

A local business has added a fun activity for the younger crowd. The Ritz Roadhouse has launched a coloring contest that will conclude Friday evening.

Youngsters may stop in and choose from a variety of drawings to color.

Judges will select first-, second- and third-place winners on Friday night, with winners to be announced on Saturday, Dec. 7. Each winner will receive a free kid’s meal.

Also on Saturday, Dec. 7, is the 40th Annual AAUW Holiday Bazaar at the Ritzville Grade School.

The bazaar is an annual tradition where shoppers can find a little bit of everything and purchase unique gifts for loved ones. Hours are 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The free children’s matinee is set for Saturday, Dec. 14, at the American Legion Memorial Hall on Broadway Avenue.

Doors open at 12:15 p.m. with the movie starting at 1 p.m.

The movie is going to be a double feature with the movies “The Elf’s Story: The Elf on a Shelf” and “The Happy Elf.”

The total run time is just over one hour.

The Ritzville Fire Department will deliver Santa to the Legion Hall after the movie where children will receive free treats and goodies.

He is expected to arrive around 2:15 p.m.

For more information, contact the chamber office in person at 111 West Main Avenue, by phone at 659-1936 or by email at [email protected].