Oak Harbor Main Street Association is hoping to find adoptive parents for a few good soldiers — toy soldiers, that is.

As part of the organization’s Home for the Holidays festivities, the association is placing 24 plain, 4-foot- tall toy soldiers up for “adoption.”

Those up to the challenge are asked to paint and decorate the wooden figures and return the finished works of art to Main Street Association by mid-November, in time to be displayed as decorations during the holiday season.

The group was inspired by the snowpeople placed on display in Coupeville throughout the holidays.

Main Street, however, chose a toy soldier theme for a couple of reasons.

“Toy soldiers are obviously a reference to the holiday classic “The Nutcracker,” said Margaret Livermore, president of Oak Harbor Main Street Association. “Plus, they are a nod to the fact that we are a military community. So, we feel like we have a couple of good reasons for the toy soldier theme.”

Organizers say they hope the community will get into the spirit of the idea so they can add more soldiers each year.

This year, 24 toy soldiers were cut out and primed and arewaiting to painted and decorated by community and military groups, businesses or individuals.

Cost to “adopt,” or sponsor, a toy soldier is $15 per soldier. They can be picked up starting Thursday, Oct. 20 and must be returned no later than Nov. 18.

Livermore said plans call for the toy soldiers to be displayed in front of participating businesses or mounted along the fences on Pioneer Way. The decorations will be numbered as they are returned and then community members will be able to choose their favorite by casting their vote at the Main Street office, located inside the mall behind the Garry Oak Gallery.

Those interested in adopting a toy soldier can call Oak Harbor Main Street Executive Director Melissa Riker at 360-929- 2489 or email her at edmainstreet@gmail.com to schedule a time to pick up their soldier. Supplies are limited, so those interested are encouraged to act quickly.