Webster’s Dictionary defines the word hoopla very simply: “To Do.”
Cheney Merchants Association members hope that’s exactly what local residents will find this weekend at the inaugural “Holiday Hoopla” celebration downtown. The two-day event, running Friday night, Nov. 30, from 5:30 – 9 p.m. and Saturday, Dec. 1, from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m., incorporates the city’s tree lighting ceremony into a larger mixture of activities for the family.
CMA vice chair Debbie Anderson said the organization has always wanted to take on a couple local events and manage them. CMA president Douglas LeBar, owner of the Mason Jar, and other members have experience putting on Mayfest, and several years ago Winterfest, and Anderson said with the organization looking at adopting the Main Street Washington program this January, decided to turn the annual tree lighting into something larger.
“This is our first go at it,” Anderson said.
Residents likely have seen a professional lighting team, Custom Fit Lighting, hanging lights on the tree outside of the library, as well as on four of the First Street bench kiosks and at the location of the former Doug Nixon Farmers Insurance Building — which will be transformed into “Santa’s Workshop” for the event. The big guy in the red suit will be at the tree lighting and then at his workshop for free pictures.
The tree lighting takes place at its traditional time, 5:30, with pictures with Santa running from 6:30 — 9 p.m. Friday and again on Saturday. Cotton candy and a hot chocolate bar will be available on the patio outside the workshop.
Smores packets are also available, and marshmallows — along with the ability to get a little warmth — can be roasted at one of four burn barrels set up in the middle of First Street. First will be blocked off between C and F streets.
Anderson said the Cheney Lions Club is doing a “snowman toss” at the workshop, and that another popular local icon will be joining Santa Claus.
“Santa Swoop will be there, I have confirmed that,” she said.
Cheney School District and local musicians will be performing on stage at College Avenue, and there will be a variety of food vendors as well. Anderson said Eastern Washington University’s music department is getting into the mix by sending faculty and students to do some caroling.
Saturday, the library will be the site of a kids crafts activity, providing an opportunity to make gifts for family members and have them wrapped as well. The Mason Jar will be hosting cookie decorating from 3 – 5 p.m., and Banner Bank will sponsor “Letters to Santa” at the workshop.
Downtown businesses will be open for shopping and dining, and Anderson said the association will have a “Holiday Hoopla Pop Up Shop” featuring local vendors that will be open at 108 College Ave. not only this Friday and Saturday but also Dec. 1 – 2 and Dec. 8 – 9 from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. both days.
The CMA received financial assistance to stage Holiday Hoopla from the city’s Lodging Tax Fund. The City Council approved a $16,232 appropriation from the fund at its Oct. 23 meeting, helping the association pay for new lights, marketing and other event needs.
Anderson said students at EWU’s computer design department had a competition to design promotional materials for the event, presenting to the CMA in mid-October.
And, just in case the weather gets really inclement, Anderson said they would have plenty of heaters near the performance stage and bleachers.
“There’ll be lots of things to do inside too,” she added.
John McCallum can be reached at jmac@cheneyfreepress.com.
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