By Sue Hughes | For The Times-Post

PENDLETON — For more than 20 years, Pendleton has been celebrating Christmas in Pendleton on a Saturday in November. This year is no exception.
The town will be decked out for this annual celebration — presented by Pendleton Business Association, with various sponsors — on Saturday, Nov. 11.
The fun will start at 10 a.m., according to Niki Brown, in her second year as event coordinator.
Many vendors will be downtown, along with all the stores being open.
“There will be lots of new additions this year,” Brown said. “We will be utilizing the park this year.”
Along with the carriage rides in the park, there will be a petting zoo with reindeer and a children’s activity area by the gazebo.
The event parade will begin at 1 p.m. It starts near Pendleton Elementary School on East Street and travels north to State Street and west to Main Street.
There will be about 25 entrants, including Santa, the Snow Queen and Court, and the Pendleton Heights High School Marching Arabians and color guard.
In honor of Veterans Day, the grand marshal this year is Col. David Skalon, a Pendleton resident and 34-year Army veteran. (For more about Skalon, see feature on Page 4.)
AMVETS and American Legion Post 117 will have floats in the parade. Any veteran interested in participating may contact either of these organizations.
Immediately after the parade, the snowball fight involving fake snowballs and eager youngsters will take place on State Street.
A new activity this year is the Christmas Express Passport. Passports may be picked up at any participating store or vendor. Each time a store or vendor is visited, a customer will get their card stamped. When the card is full it may be turned in to the Pendleton Business Association tent for a chance to win prizes.
Also new, “we will also be selling Christmas in Pendleton sweatshirts and T-shirts this year,” Brown said. Totes with the event design will also be available. (For more details, see feature on Page 5.)
After the parade, Santa will be greeting visitors at Gallery 119, located at 119 W. State St.
Parents will be able to take selfies with their children.
Doughnut decorating will take place at Ohanalulu, 106 W. State St., from 10 to 11:30 a.m.
Story time at the town hall will take place at 11:30 a.m. and 2 p.m.
BSA Troop 262 will make s’mores from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in front of Nellie Fayes, 121 N. Pendleton Ave.
A new Christmas Queen and her court will be crowned at 10:30 a.m. The returning queen will also be there.
Pendleton First United Methodist Church, The Stable and the American Legion will serve breakfast before all the festivities begin.

CHRISTMAS IN PENDLETON SCHEDULE
7-10:30 a.m. — Pendleton First United Methodist Church Pancake Breakfast, 225 W. State St.
7-11 a.m. — Breakfast/The Stable, 105 E. State St.
7 a.m. — All-you-can-eat breakfast at American Legion Post 117, 611 W. State St.
Christmas Express Passport available at Pendleton Business Association tent on corner of Pendleton Avenue and State Street or at participating businesses/activity areas(*)
10 a.m. — Vendor market opens; kid zone in Falls Park*; Santa at Gallery 119*; Carriage Rides in Falls Park*
10 a.m.-12:30p.m./2-3 p.m. — Letters to Santa at Depot Park*
10:15 a.m. — Queen Court arrives at Town Hall for crowning
10:30 a.m. — Crowning of Snow Queen and Princess Court
10 a.m.-3 p.m. — S’mores & Firepit at Nellie Fayes*
10-11:30 a.m. — Donut decorating at O’Hanalulu*
11:30 a.m. — StoryTime, Town Hall*
12:15 — Line up for parade
1 p.m. — Christmas In Pendleton Parade begins
1:30 p.m. — Snowball fight on State Street
2 p.m. — StoryTime, Town Hall