Winthrop’s annual Christmas at the End of the Road Celebration on Thanksgiving weekend will be comfortably familiar to long-time fans, but there will be a few new touches.
Notably, the Winthrop Chamber of Commerce has purchased all-new seasonal lighting — the white lights that outline downtown buildings — to brighten up Riverside Avenue.
And this year, the Winthrop Rink (previously known as the Winthrop Ice & Sports Rink) will be open for business with a lasting ice surface thanks to new refrigeration equipment.
Activities begin on Friday, Nov. 25. Granny Winthrop will read children’s stories at Trail’s End Bookstore from 2 – 4 p.m. At 5 p.m., Morning Glory Balloons will inflate and light a hot air balloon on Riverside Avenue.
On Saturday, Nov. 26, carolers will entertain on Riverside Avenue, free horse-drawn wagon rides will be available, the Methow Valley Snowmobile Association will provide hand-warming burn barrels, and there will be a couple of running events: at 10 a.m., a 5,000-kilometer run and 1K kids’ run start and end at the Winthrop Rink. Cost is $5 for the 5K, and $1 for the 1K. Register on Friday from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. at Cascades Outdoor Store or the day of race from 9 – 9:45 a.m. at the rink.
The town lighting will be at 5 p.m. on Saturday, followed at 6 p.m. by one of the best fireworks shows around.
