SOAP LAKE — Santa Claus will be coming to town, downtown Soap Lake anyway, Saturday afternoon. Santa’s arrival, however, is one of many events during Winterfest, Soap Lake’s annual holiday celebration.

Susan Carson of the Soap Lake Chamber of Commerce said Santa’s arrival is the biggest deal of the day. 

“The whole Winterfest is about Santa coming to town,” Carson said.

There will be things to do before Santa and Mrs. Claus arrive, though. The Soap Lake Public Library will sponsor a book sale and some activities for children from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the library, 32 E. Main St.

The Soap Lake Community and Senior Center, 121 Second Ave. SE, will host a holiday bazaar from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. According to information from the senior center, 14 vendors have signed up. 

The action shifts downtown for the afternoon; the Del-Red Pub, 311 E. Main Ave., hosts turkey bingo starting at noon. The “turkey” part of bingo refers to the prizes, which are turkeys donated by businesses and community members, Carson said.

The choir and band from Soap Lake Schools will perform during the afternoon. Carolers from the Masquers Theater will be singing at 5 p.m. The theater troupe will be busy Saturday afternoon — a matinee of the Masquers production of “Elf: The Musical” is at 2 p.m.

Staff from McKay Healthcare and Rehabilitation will be serving coffee and cocoa downtown beginning at 3 p.m. 

Santa arrives at 4 p.m. on a fire truck provided by Grant County Fire District 7. He will be available for pictures with children — parents can get a printed picture — and to hear Christmas wishes. He also will be distributing gift bags to the children. 

“The Grinch is going to be moping around town, so you can catch him,” Carson said during the Nov. 15 Soap Lake City Council meeting.

“We will have elves help guide you to the activities around town, so keep an eye out for a couple of elves, which are actually our cheerleaders,” she added. 

This is the first year the Chamber has sponsored Winterfest, she said. 

Cheryl Schweizer may be reached at [email protected].

    Students from Soap Lake Elementary School, under the direction of music teacher Allison Pheasant, sing Christmas songs in Sam Israel Panayiri Square during Winterfest 2021. The annual celebration is coming this weekend.