While downtown Centralia’s Lighted Tractor Parade, scheduled for 6 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 9, is the downtown area’s biggest draw during the holiday season, Centralia Downtown Association (CDA) Vice President Jan Nontell explained it’s not the only thing going on downtown as Christmas approaches.
“Because of all the horrible traffic in the evening after the parade, participating stores downtown are going to be staying open late until midnight,” Nontell said during the public comment section of Tuesday’s Centralia City Council meeting. “So we’re inviting people to stay downtown, shop with us, have some hot cider, stop in the local eateries, get a drink, enjoy the rest of the evening and warm up a little bit from being outside.”
Businesses staying open until midnight on Dec. 9 include:
• HUBBUB
• Insert Coin
• Hub City Honey
• The Rectangle Gallery
• Vintage Vault 33
• Farm + Flourish
• Victorian Steampunk Emporium
• The Art of Emily Ann
• Fern Ridge Floral
• Sweet Dough Cookie Co.
• The Juice Box
• Cluttered Closet
• The Olympic Club
• O’Blarneys at The Gibson House
• Liquidation Town
The CDA has a variety of other events lined up this month besides these as well.
Before the Lighted Tractor Parade takes place, the CDA has organized an Early Bird Shopping event beginning at 6 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 2, when participating businesses open.
Those businesses include but are not limited to:
• Dawn’s Delectables
• Luxe Wine Bar
• Cluttered Closet
• The Jewelry Boutique
• Hub City Honey
• Centralia Squares Antiques
• Zap Master
• Farm + Flourish
• Vintage Vault 33
• The Rectangle Gallery
• HUBBUB
• The Station powered by Lewis County Coffee
• Emporium Ayala
• Blue Skies Drones
• AMZing Outlet
“We are going to have a downtown pajama party shopping extravaganza,” Nontell said. “I know at The Rectangle Gallery, we’re all planning on wearing our pajamas.”
The Rectangle Gallery, which Nontell owns, will also have breakfast items out for participants as well and shoppers will have a chance to fill out and complete their Early Bird Passports as they go from business to business. Those who visit five stores or more will be entered into a drawing for a stay at the Olympic Club plus a $50 gift card.
Following the Early Bird Shopping event on the same day from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., the Christmas on Magnolia Holiday Makers Market will be open, which will include an appearance by Santa and live reindeer.
Additionally, Nontell added that participating stores will be open until 8 p.m. on Fridays until Christmas, and every Saturday until Christmas carolers will be performing downtown.
Stores participating in the CDA’s Late ‘Til 8 event include:
• The Rectangle Gallery
• HUBBUB
• Vintage Vault 33
• Farm + Flourish
• Victorian Steampunk Emporium
• Centralia Square Antiques, Gracie’s
• Twin City Sign and Graphics
• AMZing Outlet
• The Art of Emily Ann
• The Jewelry Boutique
• The Juice Box
• Dawn’s Delectables
• Cluttered Closet
• Insert Coin
• Central Park Tanning
• Phantom Tattoo
• Hub City Honey
• Emporium Ayala
• Holley’s Place
According to Nontell, there are other downtown Centralia businesses that are normally open until 8 p.m. or later still but not officially participating in the Late ‘Til 8 event.
“We have gift wrapping at the CDA office which will benefit different nonprofit organizations,” Nontell said.
Then, starting at noon on Sunday, Dec. 17, the CDA will host a Stocking Stuffer Sunday event.
“You buy or give stocking stuffers to children,” Nontell added.
The event benefits the Guardian Friends of Lewis County, and cash donations can also be made to raise money for kids in foster care within the county.
Another event just completed by the CDA was its Hometown Holiday Window Display Excellence Awards. The businesses with decorative displays in their storefronts downtown that won awards include:
• Urban Farmgirl Market, which won the award for prettiest window
• Zap Master, which won the award for cheesiest window
• Dawn’s Delectables, which won the award for sweetest window
• The Rectangle Gallery, which won the award for best themed window
• HUBBUB, which won the judges’ choice award
Voting for the people’s choice award for best window display is still open through Dec. 22 and available online at https://tinyurl.com/5fmewsyh.
For more information, visit https://downtowncentralia.org/.
