It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas in Coupeville as small-town holiday spirit filled the streets for the annual Greening of Coupeville celebration Saturday evening.
Community members bundled up and gathered along Main and Front streets for the annual parade and tree lighting at Cook’s Corner Park.
With Jack Frost nipping at their noses, the Brimeyer family huddled together under a blanket, the children prepared to gather as much candy as they could. Children Noah, Teddy, Shaun, Cassie and Leila discussed how much candy would fit in their pockets and the bags they brought.
“It’s just a small-town thing; it’s fun. It’s the small-town feel of Christmas,” their mother, Jennifer Brimeyer, said about the parade.
On Front Street, Tim Krause and his dog, Daisy, eagerly awaited the parade, with Krause in a Santa hat and Daisy attracting many smiles in her shimmery red dress.
“I wouldn’t miss it,” Krause said about the festivities, adding that he comes every year.
Linda and John Devitt also attend every year.
“I like that it’s a parade in our little town and they work so hard for it,” Linda said.
Carolers strolled through town singing “Deck the Halls” until the first floats came down Front Street. Frosty the Snowman, the Coupeville Lions Club, the Boys and Girls Club and more marched down the street throwing candy to excited children. Gifts from the Heart Food Bank volunteers even performed a synchronized dance with shopping carts.
Santa Claus’ sleigh made a grand finale. Santa Claus, also known as Paul Messner, waved to beaming children and adults.
After the parade, the crowds made their way to Cook’s Corner Park for the lighting of the trees.
Mayor Nancy Conard encouraged the community to shop locally for the holidays, especially that night, as the shops planned to stay open later than usual.
Vern and Karl Olsen and family got the crowd rocking around the Christmas tree as they led carols. Children slid down the hill by the Anchorage Inn, laughing, and girls linked arms to dance along to the songs. The phrase of the night was “buy local” and the Olsens even managed to insert the phrase into “Silver Bells.”
When it came time to light the trees, the Olsens led a countdown — “three, two, one!” Then the lights came on, transforming the park into a winter wonderland of multi-colored, festive lights as the crowd sang “O Christmas Tree.” Children and adults flocked to “ooh” and take photos.
Santa Claus made another appearance for photos as community members chatted and headed to the waterfront to watch lighted boats from the Oak Harbor Yacht Club parade across Penn Cove.
Six-year-old Madalynn Georges stepped up for a photo with Santa Claus. After a busy evening of handing out candy canes with St. Mary’s church during the parade, she smiled at Santa Claus and showed him her Santa Claus doll as her parents took photos of the magical Christmas moment.
