RITZVILLE — Apparently, Ritzville has so much holiday spirit, it must take two weekends for Winter Fest. 

“We've always done a variety of holiday activities and events, and we just wanted something that was a little bit more comprehensive of things that happened in our community,” said Katelin Davidson, tourism and promotions director for the Ritzville Chamber of Commerce. “So, the chamber started Winter Fest, and really it's just bringing all of our groups and activities together so we can have them in one place and share (them) with our community and visitors alike.” 

This year’s Winter Fest theme is “Moonlight Magic,” Davidson said. Winter Fest starts Dec. 6 with Christmas at the Carnegie, a tree lighting at Ritzville’s historic Carnegie Library. The tree will be in the lawn in front of the library, and participants can sing carols and visit Santa. The Friends of the Ritzville Library will offer cookies, cocoa and crafts and activities for the kids inside. The event will be livestreamed on the chamber’s Facebook page, according to the chamber’s website. 

The next morning, Emmanuel Lutheran Church will host the at Ritzville Grade School, with lunch available for purchase from Rollin’ Coal Barbecue out of Washtucna. 

“It's a collection of all small vendors so you can get your holiday shopping started,” Davidson said. “It's a fundraiser for the church, and then also we have photos with Santa there … and you can support small businesses and vendors.” 

Meanwhile, Christmas at the Museum will be going on at the Train Depot, one of Ritzville’s two historic museums. 

“They do a whole festive display right in the lobby, and then they did an ornament decorating event earlier this month, and so kids from our community painted ornaments that are on the trees there,” Davidson said. “It's a good opportunity to learn more about the history of our community, especially the railroad and how that affected our development as a town, and to walk around and see all the beautiful holiday decorations they've done.” 

Once the shopping and museum touring are finished, the public is invited to the Ritz Theater for a free screening of “How the Grinch Stole Christmas,” the 2000 film rendition of Dr. Seuss’ classic Christmas story. Santa will put in another appearance when the movie lets out, accompanying the Ritzville Volunteer Fire Department in handing out goodie bags for the kids. 

On Dec. 13, the Ritzville Eagles Lodge will host an Ugly Sweater Party where folks can enjoy appetizers and desserts and show off their most hideous holiday attire. 

The next day, Dec. 14, is the big blowout of Winter Fest, starting with Pancakes with Santa at the Eagles Lodge. After that, the Jolly Old Elf will fly over to Lind-Ritzville High School, not in a sleigh, but in a helicopter. Weather permitting, of course. 

“He (flies in) if the weather is good,” Davidson said. “I think this is the fifth year of that event, and he’s flown in twice. If he doesn’t fly in, we bring him in a fire truck. So, there will always be a Santa.” 

The bus route behind the school is decorated as Candy Cane Lane, courtesy of Lind-Ritzville Cooperative Schools and East Adams Rural Healthcare and folks can drive through and collect more treats for the children. 

“You can do it all from the warmth of your car,” Davidson said. 

The Quinterfest auction will be happening at the same time at the Knuth Building, featuring lunch, a bucket raffle and a silent auction to support the Ritzville Festivals Association. And at the Train Depot, baked goods architects will show off their entries for the gingerbread house contest. 

“We had a T-rex dinosaur (gingerbread house) last year from a kid in town,” Davidson said. “We also have a mother-and-daughter duo (and) every year they've picked a different historic building in our community and then created that in gingerbread. Those are amazing to see. They've done a beautiful job.” 

The big finale to Winter Fest is the Santa Parade at noon. Santa will ride a fire truck down Main Street, and there will be hot dogs from The Dog Stop and hot cocoa from the Stayin’ Alive Youth Group, according to the chamber’s website. 

The parade is open to everybody, with one requirement:  

“Our only criterion for the Santa parade is that our entrants have a Santa hat on,” Davidson said. “We always have a Mrs. Claus and a Santa Claus, and this year instead of reindeer, they're going to use mini-Highland cows. We're excited about it; this will be our first year with livestock in our parade.” 

After the parade, there’s an ornament hunt, which is kind of like an Easter egg hunt but with Christmas ornaments, Davidson said. 

“There's a little park next to the train depot, and they're hidden in there,” she said. “Kids can go (seek out ornaments) and then you bring back your ornament to the table, and you get a prize for the ornament that you found.” 

All the activities are free to the public, Davidson emphasized.  

“We love showcasing our town, and it's a nice historic area as well,” she said. “So it's always that fun of having the pretty neat backdrop of our history and then being able to do some new, modern fun activities.” 

For the full Winter Fest schedule, visit www.ritzvillechamber.org. 

    Santa Claus flies in at Lind-Ritzville High School in a helicopter at last year’s Winter Fest in Ritzville.
  

    A couple of elves check out the view of the East Adams Rural Healthcare float at the Santa Parade in Ritzville last year.
  

    Ritzville Volunteer Firefighter Andrew Carlson hands out treat bags after the annual Children's Movie Matinee at the historic Ritz Theatre during last year’s Ritzville Winter Fest.