Winter Fest returns to Ritzville for the holiday season

The holiday season is a time filled with joy, celebration, kindness and community. The residents and business owners of Ritzville emote the true meaning of the season as they unite to provide the idyllic holiday experience for community members and visitors alike.

The second annual Winter Fest will showcase the uniqueness of small town charm and hospitality, as well as highlight family-favorite activities. All Winter Fest events are family-friendly, and most are free to attend.

The start of holiday shopping opportunities after Thanksgiving also marks the beginning of Jingle Bell Shop. Simply turn in your receipt from a Ritzville-based business for the opportunity to be entered in a weekly drawing for a prize basket. Receipts can be dropped off at Ritzville Public Library or the City of Ritzville, and the drawings will occur each Monday with the winner being contacted by phone and the winner’s name being posted on the Ritzville Area Chamber of Commerce Facebook page.

Sensory family-friendly events will begin with Christmas at the Carnegie on Dec. 6, where all ages are invited to make their own unique Christmas ornaments from 3:30-5 p.m. at the Ritzville Public Library. All materials are provided free of charge, and participants are invited to hang the ornaments on the town Christmas tree outside, or take their one-of-a-kind creations home with them.

The small town favorite tradition of lighting the town’s Christmas tree will start immediately after the ornament craft. After a welcome to those in attendance, the tree will be lit to the delight of those surrounding it, marking the official start of the Christmas holiday traditions for Ritzville and igniting the holiday spirit.

Along with the excitement of the tree lighting, there is an expected visit by a jolly man in red, who usually has a candy cane for kids of all ages.

Those attending the event are invited to join in a round of caroling around the tree, with holiday favorite songs being led by members of the Lind-Ritzville band.

While the holiday spirit will create warmth in the community, the Friends of the Library members will invite carolers and onlookers to come back into the library for Cocoa and Cookies. The event features a variety of holiday snacks, and provides a networking opportunity while also enjoying the warmth of hot cocoa.

At 7 p.m., the Ritzville Downtown Development Association (RDDA) will be hosting an adult movie night out fundraising event at the historic Ritz Theatre. The featured film is “The Irishman” and this will be the first time a Netflix film is streamed at the theatre. This film is also only being shown in one other theater in the entire state.

Tickets to the event are $10 and can be purchased at the door. The movie will also be shown on Dec. 8 at 3 p.m. as part of the RDDA fundraising event.

The next morning, a unique holiday shopping experience will invade the local grade school gym for those looking for the perfect gift. The Holiday Bazaar features a variety of handmade, specialty crafted items, as well as array of food choices.

The bazaar also features photos with Santa and lunch food, both available for purchase. Vendor booths range from candy and crafts, to clothing and Christmas décor. The Holiday Bazaar has free admittance, and runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

A beloved holiday tradition will begin at 2 p.m., also on Dec. 7, with the showing of the Children’s Movie Matinee. The movie is provided at no cost through donations from local businesses and individuals, and the doors open at 1:30 p.m.

The movie is shown at the Ritz Theatre, and this year’s featured film is “The Polar Express.”

After the movie, attendees rush outside to try to catch the first glimpse of Santa as he arrives by fire truck, courtesy of the Ritzville Volunteer Fire Department. Assisted by the firefighters, Santa will hand out goody bags to children as a pre-holiday treat.

The festivities will continue on Dec. 21 as the Ritzville Area Chamber of Commerce hosts a Gingerbread House Contest, followed by hayrides, caroling and s’mores.

The Gingerbread House Contest entries must be an already made gingerbread house, and all materials must be edible. Entries can be dropped off at Uniquely Washington from 4:30-5 p.m., with judging beginning at 5:15 p.m. The houses will be judged according to three age groups: children 10 and under, children 11-17, and adults.

After turning in an entry, attendees are invited to Pioneer Plaza in the heart of the Ritzville downtown district. Free hayrides are available for families to enjoy, with carols being sung as the hayride circles downtown under the glow of holiday lights.

After a round of caroling, visitors are invited to stop by the fire pit in the plaza for s’mores and an opportunity to warm up. Refreshments will also be available at Uniquely Washington.

As part of the Winter Fest activities, the Ritzville Chamber partners with local law enforcement agencies to host Shop With A Cop. The event pairs area youth with law enforcement officers, and gives the children an opportunity to purchase presents for family members.

In order for this tradition to continue, the Ritzville Chamber is requesting donations to support this year’s event. All donations can be made out to the Ritzville Chamber, with specifying the funds are for Shop With A Cop, and returned to Ritzville City Hall, 216 E. Main Avenue.

The Ritzville Chamber, local community members and organizations are proud to sponsor these events and welcome visitors to town to enjoy a quintessential holiday experience, with the added charm of a small town.

For more information on Winter Fest events, visit http://www.ritzvillechamber.com.