Holiday Hoopla is Saturday

The snow hasn’t quite stuck to the ground just yet, but Cheney will be celebrating sugar plums, silver bells and Santa Claus Saturday with the Holiday Hoopla.

Formerly known as Winterfest, Pathways to Progress decided to change the name of the annual event in order to set it apart from other events in Cheney such as Mayfest and Cheneyfest.

But the Holiday Hoopla is celebrating Christmas in Cheney and the 125th birthday of the city, which was born Nov. 28, 1883.

After the Christmas tree is lit, there will be birthday cake in the library and Lt. Dave Mather of the Cheney Police Department will read Christmas stories to children.

The event is presented by the city of Cheney and Pathways to Progress.

“We’re trying to make it a little more festive this year,” said Paul Simmons, recreation director for Cheney Parks and Recreation Department. He noted that the city is adding a Christmas tree this year.

“Our primary focus is the tree-lighting portion of it,” Simmons said. Mayor Allan Gainer will read a proclamation that will include pieces of Cheney trivia, the Youth Commission will serve hot chocolate and cookies and Music ’N’ Motion from Cheney High School will sing two or three Christmas carols.

Santa will also arrive on a fire truck to mark the beginning of the holiday season.

But the tree-lighting ceremony is just a small part of the day, which starts with breakfast with Santa at Willow Springs Restaurant.

The restaurant will serve a breakfast buffet while Santa greets diners. There will also be games for the kids to play, and Santa will pose for pictures.

Cheney City Hall will be home to the arts, crafts and food bazaar. Chris Miclat, the event coordinator at Pathways to Progress, said that there will be 25 to 28 vendors at the bazaar, and volunteers are still needed.

Applicants are still needed for the “Chilly” Cook-off, which will also be held at City Hall. A prize will be given for the best homemade chili – participants need to let Miclat know they are coming. They can bring their own chili and Pathways will set up a table for them.

Another activity will be the Kris Kringle Treasure Hunt, a contest to see who can find Christmas ornaments hidden in businesses throughout downtown Cheney. The player just needs to show the manager the ornament and the manager will sign their slip and send them to the next store.

“I just hope that everyone will have fun,” Miclat said.

He added that he thinks the events aren’t just for kids and looks forward to the community gathering as a whole for a good time.

Anyone interested in volunteering for the Holiday Hoopla or entering the “Chilly” Cook-off should call Pathways to Progress at 559-5818.