Sequim all aglow for the holidays

Hometown Holidays was a hit for locals and visitors alike.

Santa Claus and the Sequim Irrigation Festival royalty returned to Centennial Place at the corner of Sequim Avenue and Washington Street for photo-ops, and Kris Kringle even stepped in for a brief stint as conductor of the Sequim City Band.

The downtown Christmas tree was switched on at dusk on Nov. 30, and the Lighted Tractor Cruise saw spectators line-up for several blocks along Washington Street.

Musical acts played through the afternoon, and local groups were on hand, including the Sequim Valley Lions Club who offered free stuffed animals for children.

Alexis Molles, new to Sequim, enjoyed Santa’s arrival via Clallam County Fire District 3’s antique fire truck with her three children Thomas, Ben and Daisy, saying Sequim “is a really charming little mountain town and this (event) adds to the charm of the town.”

City of Sequim staff placed the tree on Nov. 25 at Centennial Place after Joel and Sharon Clark of Sequim donated the approximate 25-foot tall tree.

Joel, a retired Chevrolet automotive dealership service manager, said he reached out a few years ago to the City of Sequim about the tree donation, and staff wanted to wait a little bit for it to grow.

It’s been a fixture in the couple’s yard for 18 years.

“I’m gonna miss it. It’s like a part of my family,” Sharon, former owner of Burger Boys in Sequim, said.

As it was placed on Nov. 25, she said the tree is “so beautiful.”

“God blessed me with it and I wanted to share it with so many other people,” Sharon said. “When they see it, I hope they get the feeling of what Christmas is all about.”

Sequim Gazette photo by Matthew Nash/ Joel and Sharon Clark of Sequim stand with the downtown Christmas tree they donated to the City of Sequim for Centennial Place. “God blessed me with it and I wanted to share it with so many other people,” Sharon said.

Sequim Gazette photos by Emily Matthiessen Santa Claus treats townspeople to a display of his conducting skills while the Sequim City Band plays on at Hometown Holidays on Nov. 30.