Annual Winthrop festival packed with activities
It already looks a lot like Christmas in the valley, a perfectly appropriate backdrop for the annual launch of the holiday season: Winthrop’s Christmas at the End of the Road, which will be presented on Friday and Saturday (Nov. 25-26) in and around downtown.
The End begins on Friday with local shopping specials, and the opening of the Visitor Information Center from 10 a.m-5 p.m. The information center will be open both days. Then, see if you can keep up with Old St. Nick in a skating session with Santa at the Winthrop Rink, from 6-8 p.m.
Saturday includes more shopping, lots of food and beverages available, Santa’s arrival downtown, the town lighting, a kids’ Winter Fest at the Winthrop Barn, and the always-anticipated fireworks show. Additionally, the Shafer Historical Museum will offer kids’ activities from noon-4 p.m.
New this year: enter a raffle to win a night at Sun Mountain Lodge and a basket full of gifts from local retailers, with a total value of $660. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased at the Tenderfoot, cash only. The drawing will be at 5:55 p.m. on Saturday; you must be present to win.
Here’s a look at the weekend schedule:
Friday, Nov. 25
• 10 am.-5 p.m., local shopping specials; Visitor Information Center open.
• 6-8 p.m., skate with Santa at the Winthrop Rink.
Saturday, Nov. 26
• All day, local shopping specials; Visitor Information Center open.
• 11 a.m.-6 p.m., the Liberty Bell Booster Club will conduct a fundraiser selling brats, Polish dogs, coffee, apple cider and baked goods in front of Sheri’s Sweet Shoppe. There will also be donuts for sale from Orchard House Donuts, and pastries by the Little Dipper.
• Noon-4 p.m., the Shafer Historic Museum on Castle Avenue is open with activities for kids.
• Noon, Santa arrives in town in a horse-drawn carriage.
• 1-4 p.m., Children’s Winter Fest at the Winthrop Barn, including free photos with Santa and kids’ activities.
• 1-4 p.m., free hot chocolate in front of Town Hall courtesy of Coldwell Banker Winthrop Realty.
• 5 p.m., town lighting, as the shops on Riverside Avenue switch on their holiday lights.
• 5:55 p.m., raffle basket winner announcement.
• 6 p.m., fireworks show viewable from downtown and other areas around the town (Riverside Avenue is popular and crowded, but not the only place to be). The show typically lasts about 20 minutes; be sure to bundle up. Online viewing of the fireworks is available at www.facebook.com/WinthropWashington. North Village Properties provides the launch site for the show.
The event is organized by the Winthrop Chamber of Commerce and sponsored by local merchants. For more information, email info@winthropwashington.com, or visit https://winthropwashington.com/events/christmas-festival.
