PENDLETON — Hometown Christmas in Falls Park — a series of lighted holiday displays — will return to Falls Park this year, beginning with a tree lighting ceremony at the park gazebo at dusk on Saturday, Nov. 11 (following Christmas in Pendleton).
The holiday decorations are provided by local businesses and private individuals.
“We would like to encourage people to come out and enjoy the lights and the fellowship, a gathering place for the people of Pendleton,” said Jo Scott, who is co-chairwoman of the event with Sandi Butler.
Several businesses are returning this year to help with the decorating.
Solis Insurance will be decorating the small shelter house, Pendleton Historical Museum will decorate its building, and the Jeff Barger family will again be using the Peanuts gang to decorate their area.
Other organizations helping to make the park look festive include Smith Family Farm, Pendleton Garden Club, Friends of Pendleton Community Library, and Pendleton Lions Club and Pendleton Kiwanis.
“The Friends of Falls Park will decorate the exterior of the large shelter house for the first time,” Scott said. “AMVETS and the American Legion will decorate the military memorial.”
Adam Custer Insurance will also be decorating, and the large snowman on the deck by the creek will be provided by Julie Schnepp of RE/MAX Legacy.
Josh and Ana Blake will decorate the evergreen tree near the gazebo; it will serve as the community Christmas tree of the park.
For the third year, the Parker family will decorate a tree in honor of their father.
The popular iron bridge will again be ready for pictures this year, compliments of the Pendleton Electric Department.
Scott added that the Friends of Falls Park will be giving away hot chocolate every Saturday evening in December from 6-8 p.m. at the gazebo. There will also be games for the children.
Friends of Falls Park also will be selling its 2024 picture calendars at the Friends of Falls park booth on Saturday during Christmas in Pendleton.
The booth will be in front of Nellie Fayes, 121 N. Pendleton Ave. Calendars cost $15 and feature 15 photos taken on Pendleton park properties by individuals.