Lynden’s popular Annual Lighted Christmas Parade is this Saturday, and the weekend is full of fun events you won’t want to miss! The 25th Annual Parade is sponsored by Edaleen Dairy, and is put on by the Lynden Chamber of Commerce. Whether this is your first time or you’ve been to all 25, you’ll be glad you went!
The below clip is from a few years ago by Lynden Tribune, to give you just a hint of what you’ll find at the Parade:
A few tips for this year’s Lighted Christmas Parade:
- arrive early and allow extra time for parking — the parade seems to be more popular this year, and with moderate temperatures in the forecast it should be busy! Front Street will be closed from around 3:00pm onward so getting around town will take extra time.
- dress warm (of course!) and dry — there is potential rain in the forecast (which is certainly no reason to miss this awesome parade), so a raincoat layer and umbrella on hand is a good idea.
- check out one of the ‘hot spots’ provided by North County Christ the King Church — either in the Fairway Center parking lot by the church, or at the Windmill downtown, grab a cup of hot chocolate and hand warmers to stay warm!
- keep a close eye on kids — while this is a wonderful event for children, it can be difficult for the drivers of the giant tractors and floats to see well, so be sure to keep your kids off the street and in your reach for the best experience!
Here’s the schedule of events for the weekend:
Friday, December 4th
Friday starts off with the Baking contest – enter your favorite dessert or encourage that expert baker you know to enter, share it with the community and join us all at the Jansen Art Center Friday night for a Wine and Dessert Social!
Jansen Art Center 321 Front St. – Tickets $10 includes dessert & a glass of wine or coffee. Winners of Dessert Contest announced.
Third Christian Reformed Church, 514 Liberty St. – Suggested donations, Adults $15.00, Seniors $10.00, Children $5.00.
Claire vg Thomas Theatre, 655 Front St. (inside the Dutch Village Mall).
Tickets and prices available at www.clairevgtheatre.com
Saturday, December 5th
8:00am – 11:00am – Breakfast with Sinterklaas
Lynden Community Center – 401 Grover St. Enjoy all you can eat pancake breakfast and visit with Sinter. Sinterklaas and Zwartz Piets arrive at 9:30 a.m. Bring your own camera. Breakfast cost is $5 for adults & $3 for children
10:00am – 4:00pm – FREE Photos with Santa & Mrs. Claus.
Originals by Chad, 521 Front St. With donation of new unwrapped children’s gift or non-perishable food item
10:30am – 12:30pm – Children’s Holiday Gift Bazaar
Lynden Library
11:00am – 6:00pm – The Gift of Art, Holiday Fair
Jansen Art Center, 321 Front St. Support local artists, buy unique gifts for the holidays, and enjoy live music & Kids Art Activities!
11:00am – 5:00pm – “Elf on the Shelf” Scavenger Hunt
Downtown Lynden – Front St. – Find eight elves in businesses downtown & your name may be drawn to win a pile of Christmas gifts! Use of smart phones/Ipad encouraged, but not required. Pick up information at Edward Jones, 517 Front Street or Lynden DBA Facebook page.
11:00am – 5:00pm – Silent Auction of Experiences!
Bid on different experiences throughout the local area. Descriptions of the experiences and bid sheets located at Hats Off 406 Front Street.
11:00am – 5:00pm (or until they last) – Decorate a Christmas Cookie’s
Hats Off – 406 Front St.
1:00pm – 4:00pm – Skate with Santa
Lynden Skateway, 421 Judson St. – $6.50 admission
Claire vg Thomas Theatre, 655 Front St. (inside the Dutch Village Mall)
Tickets and prices available at www.clairevgtheatre.com
Third Christian Reformed Church, 514 Liberty St. – Suggested donations, Adults $15.00, Seniors $10.00, Children $5.00.
3:00pm – 6:00pm – Chili Feed
Lynden Fire Dept. – Station 75, 4th St.
5:00pm – 6:00pm – Christmas Tree Lighting & Community Caroling
Downtown Lynden corner of 4th & Front Street.
6:00pm – Lighted Christmas Parade
Starts at Fairway Center at 6pm, arrives Downtown approximately 6:15pm
NOTE: Saturday December 5, 2015 – Front St. will be closed to traffic and parking from 19th to 3rd Streets from 3:00p.m.-7:30p.m. Parade parking is available on the side streets.
Not able to be in Lynden for the Parade? Tune into the Downtown Lynden Web Cam around 6:15pm to catch a glimpse of the parade as it happens!