Holiday Harbor Lights returns December 4

Blaine is going all out for holiday celebrations this year, bringing back its winter traditions bigger and better than ever. From Santa Claus to raffle prizes, there will be something for everyone.

Blaine’s annual Holiday Harbor Lights will kick off the holiday season Saturday, December 4. Start the day-long event with a Friends of Blaine Library book sale that runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Blaine Community Pavilion, 635 8th Street. Money from the book sale goes toward building the new Blaine Library. After finding the perfect book, residents can shop handmade gifts at the holiday arts and crafts bazaar from 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at The Vault Wine Bar Event Space, 277 G Street.

The Blaine-Birch Bay Park and Recreation District 2 will host its annual Holiday Lights Obstacle Dash 2-4 p.m. starting at the Lincoln Park H Street entrance across from Cost Cutter. Participants are encouraged to wear family-friendly holiday attire in the winter obstacle run. The price for the run is $10 for adults, $5 for children 5-17 years old and $30 for a family up to five people. To register, visit bbbparkandrec.org or register by 1 p.m. at the event.

Chili to eat after the run will be available in front of the Blaine Visitor Information Center, 546 Peace Portal Drive. Race participants get free chili and anyone else can purchase a cup for $1, said Carroll Solomon, director of Blaine Chamber of Commerce, the organization in charge of putting together the holiday events.

Living Pantry owners Seppi and Shawna Morris will host a vegan snack food tasting 3:30-5 p.m. at their store, 684 Peace Portal Drive.

Holiday festivities will take over the G Street Plaza. Blaine resident Glenn Tuski will start playing music at the plaza around 3:30 p.m. Day-to-Day Dance will perform 4-4:15 p.m. at the plaza. Following their performance, Blaine Middle School’s 8th grade band and other live musicians will play music and carol familiar holiday tunes.

Blaine businesses will give away treats 4-5 p.m. in the plaza. Blaine Fellowship will have a table with free hot chocolate and coffee, The Firm Real Estate Services will give away glow sticks and coloring books and Good Samaritan Society – Stafholt will give out free popcorn with its popcorn machine.

Between 4 and 5 p.m. an announcer will give away raffle prizes that include a one-night stay at Semiahmoo Resort, a toy basket courtesy of the chamber, a wreath from Blaine Bouquet and Living Pantry products. Everyone gets one free raffle ticket. Tickets can be picked up at the visitor center the afternoon of December 4, and tickets will also be handed out at the race and tree lighting ceremony, Solomon said.

The Christmas tree will light up the downtown skyline in celebration of the holiday season at 4:45 p.m. Families will want to stick around until 5 p.m. to get a glimpse at Santa and Mrs. Claus arriving by sleigh with their elves. Children can visit Santa and receive a free candy cane 5-7 p.m. at the visitor center.

A sleigh ride (by train) will take children around downtown 5-7 p.m. The ride is sponsored by Silver Reef Casino Resort/Loomis Trail Golf and Paso Del Norte. A free horse-drawn carriage through downtown will also be available 5-7 p.m.

Closing out the night 4:30-7:30, Drayton Harbor Oyster Company will give out free oysters at its annual “shellebration” to celebrate a clean harbor. Usually separate from the Holiday Harbor Lights, the oyster company will conjoin its celebration with the Christmas tree lighting under the restaurant’s heated tent on H Street Plaza, co-owner Steve Seymour said. The bay is closed after flooding but there will still be seafood for guests.