Holidays Bright with Charm & Cheer
“It’s Christmas time in the City…” Or so the song goes! The Chamber is proud to trim the town again, as we have for so many years. Shelton is already dazzling with lights strung across Railroad Avenue as colorful lights wrap the trees lining the street. You will soon see Tollie and the caboose draped with evergreens donated by Wild Greens International, merry bows, and bright lights. The lamp posts that held flower baskets in the summer will be adorned with tinseled, twinkly décor of ornaments, bells, and stars, while Santa and his reindeer take flight across the intersection at 7th & Railroad.
The tradition of turning our small town into Christmastown USA every year gets people engaged in the spirit of celebrating community. It’s made possible thanks to generous donations from businesses and individuals, every single year. The Chamber Foundation funds flower baskets bursting with color in the summer months and the glow of shiny street lights in the winter.
We are halfway to our annual goal to raise $20,000 was raised for the beautification program by residents who care about continuing to cheer up our primary roadways and put hometown hospitality on display. Community partners are paramount to carry out this plan year over year. Specifically, the ongoing support of City of Shelton, Green Diamond Resource Company, Hood Canal Communications, Mason PUD 3, and Skookum Rotary who contribute time, money, and resources to the setup and maintenance of beautification projects.
Again this year, the Chamber is partnering with the Johnson Family to present Keeping Spirits Bright, the Christmas lights competition with an interactive map. Registration is open and additional entries can be added to the map until December 9, 2022. This year we are hopeful to expand the map to include all of homes that are decked out for the season. You can place your address on the map at no cost and without competing. All proceeds from the program benefit beautification.
Meanwhile, our friends Kristmas Town Kiwanis bring cheer to Overlook Park and the clocktower at Evergreen Square hanging lush greenery from Continental Floral Hiawatha, and they organize the tree lighting in Post Office Park. Shelton Downtown Merchants are hosting a storefront decoration competition. Plus, Kiwanis and Downtown Merchants have Holiday Magic underway and Northwest Event Organizers has planned a flurry of activities to bring the community together. Learn more at christmastownwa.org.
Do you love the glimmer that Christmas brings too? If so, please consider a contribution to the Chamber’s campaign. Gifts of any amount are appreciated! You can make a tax-deductible donation through the Chamber’s Foundation, a 501(c)(3) charitable organization, either online at masonchamber.com/beautification or by check payable to SMCCF, PO Box 2389, Shelton, WA 98584. For additional details, don’t hesitate to call us directly at (360) 426-2021.
