We may not have missed it after all! I have to admit I thought there was no way for Scotte and me to get to Leavenworth, Washington for the Christmas Lighting Festival this year. We were there just a few weeks ago. And between hosting Thanksgiving and our son returning from a tour of duty in the Gulf, it seemed there was no way to fit it into our schedule. Then there was the problem of no reservations. That is a huge issue. There are any of number of great hotels, motels, and inns in Leavenworth. But get your reservations in early. And nearly everyone requires a two-day minimum stay.
But great news! Leavenworth has extended the Christmas Lighting Festival to Sunday night for each of its three weekends. If you’ve never been, you’re really missing something. The Festival begins on Friday evening. The village is in quiet darkness as the crowd gathers at the Gazebo in the City Park on Front Street. As parents, children and grandparents gather the true spirit of Christmas builds during the singing of Silent Night. There is a collective gasp as the village suddenly lights up with thousands upon thousands of beautiful Christmas lights. Leavenworth is aglow against the backdrop of the dramatic Cascade Mountains. This same scene is repeated at dusk on Saturday, and now Sunday.
On Saturday and Sunday during the daytime the streets are filled with food vendors, street entertainers and Christmas characters. There is continuous entertainment at the Gazebo. Children sled on the hill at the city park. There’s no place like it.
If you haven’t made reservations this year, do it today. There are rooms available on Sunday night. The Leavenworth Christmas Lighting Festival in 2007 is November 30-December 2, December 7-9, and December 14-16. For more information on Leavenworth and the Festival go to the Chamber of Commerce website.
