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Santa’s coming to Ontario and much, much more

Last week’s Festival of Trees was among the first craft and decor shows of the season. Held at the Clarion Inn, it drew a steady stream of visitors to admire decked out trees, wreaths and more. (The Enterprise/Pat Caldwell)

ONTARIO – Elves will be working overtime in Santa’s workshop next week as the Ontario Area Chamber of Commerce offers two traditional crowd-pleasing events for the community.

On Friday, Dec. 6, Santa’s Breakfast will be at the Ontario Elks Lodge, 20 S.W. 3rd St.

The breakfast starts at 6:45 a.m., and attendees will have the chance to win prizes and may also bring their own wrapped prizes to donate to Help Them to Hope, a nonprofit organization that raises donated money and goods for those in need.

The deadline to reserve a spot at the breakfast is Monday, Dec. 2. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children.

Then, on Saturday, Dec. 7, the streets of Ontario will be filled with holiday spirit for this year’s Winter Wonderland Parade, sponsored by the Malheur Enterprise.

The parade starts at 1 p.m. at Fourth Avenue in Ontario.

The float lineup begins at 11:30 a.m., and floats will be judged at noon. The lineup site is at Alameda Drive coming in from Southwest 18th Avenue.

At 12:20 p.m. the horse lineup begins, with judging at 12:30 p.m. The line-up location is at the parking lot of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at Sixth Avenue and Alameda Drive.

The novelty lineup begins at 11 a.m. on Alameda Drive coming in from Southwest 18th Avenue.

The theme for this year’s parade is “Santa’s Workshop,” and was submitted by Richard Lanier, a sixth-grader at May Roberts Elementary School who was recently chosen by the chamber as the junior grand marshal.

John Breidenbach, chamber CEO, said that he expects the parade to be bigger this year than it was last year.

“We’ve had a lot of entries come in early which we are excited about,” Breidenbach said. “I’m expecting that we’ll have a nice big parade.”

There is no charge to participate in the parade, and the deadline to submit entry forms to the chamber is 5 p.m. next Monday.

For more information on the parade or the breakfast, and on how to sign up for the events, contact the chamber at 541-889-8012.

Other local holiday events include:

Thursday, Nov. 28

FREE COMMUNITY THANKSGIVING MEAL – First Christian Church, 180 NW 1st St., Ontario. 11 a.m. to 3 p.m Volunteers needed. Reach out to Pastor Culley 541-212-6174.

NYSSA COMMUNITY THANKSGIVING – Nyssa Senior Center, 316 Good Ave. Start: 11 a.m.

VALE COMMUNITY THANKSGIVING– CANCELLED Diamond Back Grill, 152 Clark St. N., Vale.

Friday, Nov. 29

CHRISTMAS SPIRIT AND LIGHTING CEREMONY — Four Rivers Cultural Center, 676 SW 5th Ave., Ontario. Start: 5 p.m.

Saturday, Nov. 30

CHRISTMAS BAZAAR – Boulevard Grange, north of Cairo Junction. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 30-Dec. 1

HOLIDAY ARTISAN EVENT AND SALE — Four Rivers Cultural Center, 676 SW 5th Ave., Ontario. Start: 2 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturday. On Sunday, it starts at 10 a.m. and ends at 4 p.m.

Friday, Dec. 6

SANTA’S BREAKFAST – Elk’s Lodge, 20 SW 3rd St., Ontario. Start: 6:45 a.m.

VALE TREE LIGHTING – Wadleigh Park. Start: 5:30 p.m.

Friday and Saturday, Dec. 6-7

FAIRGROUNDS HOLIDAY BAZAAR – Desert Sage Event Center, 795 NW 9th St., Ontario. Start: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Photos with Mr. and Mrs. Clause are Friday from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

 Saturday, Dec. 7

NYSSA NITE LITE PARADE – By Nyssa Chamber of Commerce. Start: 6 p.m.

CORRECTION: The Festival of Trees was held at the Clarion Inn in Ontario. A caption earlier misstated that it was at Four Rivers Cultural Center. The Enterprise apologizes for the error.

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