Gresham's Annual Spirit Of Christmas Event Nov. 25

GRESHAM, OR — Oregon's fourth largest city will welcome the Spirit of Christmas days after Thanksgiving next week during a community event downtown, which will include the annual lighting of the city's 60-foot ponderosa pine.

The 26th annual Spirit of Christmas celebration officially begins at 10 a.m. Nov. 25 with Santa Claus posing for photos at the Gresham History Museum. The day of holiday fun will continue until the lighting of the city's Christmas tree at 6 p.m.

"Gresham may be the fourth largest city in Oregon, but we still celebrate that small-town feel at our annual tree lighting ceremony, the Spirit of Christmas," Gresham Mayor Shane Bemis said in a statement. "We'll bring the beautiful tree, sparkling lights and Santa. But, it's this great community coming together to celebrate with our neighbors that is the heart of this special event."

In conjunction with the the city's regular Small Business Saturday, numerous downtown shops will host open houses during the event, from 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

At the Arts Plaza, 401 N.E. Second St., Santa and Mrs. Claus will meet with children, pose for photos, and help with lighting the tree beginning at 5 p.m. Live music from local performers, including the Gresham High School Overtones, will be on-hand to entertain the crowd, while the event's numerous sponsors will provide free cocoa, cider, and munchies.

Additionally, from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., SnoCap Community Charities will accept donations for the Fill-a-Bag food drive to help support East County families in-need this winter. Bring your non-perishables to the Arts Plaza downtown to make a donation. Last year, the food drive reportedly raised the equivalent of 875,000 pounds of food for local families, according to city spokeswoman Elizabeth Coffey. Cash donations are also accepted.

For more information on this fun, family-friendly event, visit GreshamOregon.gov/Spirit-of-Christmas.

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