11/28/2005: "December 3: "Island Lights" Celebration Begins"

San Juan Island will once again take on a magical air beginning December 3rd when the "Island Lights" holiday celebration begins.

The celebration's main events occur on the first three Saturday nights in December, starting with the official lighting of the Town and the San Juan Island Chamber of Commerce's Memorial Park Tree Lighting December 3rd, at 5:00 PM. Enjoy carolers, cookies, cider, and treats handed out by the San Juan Island Chamber Elves, as the 50-foot tree is lit. Immediately following this ceremony, stroll down Front Street for the Port of Friday Harbor and Marina lighting at 5:30 PM. During the evening will be the judging for the Friday Harbor Holiday Decorating Contest and the Port of Friday Harbor boat lighting contest. Grand prize is $1,000!

December 10th the Lighted Boat Parade and Santa Ship will begin in Friday Harbor at 5:30 PM, sponsored by the Friday Harbor Sailing Club, the Kiwanis and Lions Clubs. Then Santa will hop aboard a fire engine and head to Friday Harbor Middle School to welcome all the children.

December 17th and 18th, Roche Harbor will host "Roche Harbor's Christmas Festival," two days of activity from 3-7 PM, with artists' booths, Santa in his cottage, "The History of Santa" presentation, a "Santa Elves Workshop" for kids, a lighted boat parade and much more.

Many Friday Harbor shops will remain open until 7 PM on Saturday nights during the holidays. The Port of Friday Harbor is offering one night's free moorage to boaters if they show receipts of $100 or more from shopping in town between Thanksgiving and Christmas.

There are many other holiday activities going on during the month of December: the San Juan Historical Museum's Old Fashioned Holiday Celebration, Island Studio's Open House, the Pelindaba Lavender Christmas Showcase, the San Juan Community Theatre's Teddy Bear Tea, and Lime Kiln State Park's holiday lighthouse tours.

For more information, call 360 378-5240, or visit www.sanjuanisland.org. The "Island Lights" holiday celebration is organized through the cooperative efforts of the Town of Friday Harbor and the San Juan Island Chamber of Commerce.