Santa Claus greets families during Camas' 2021 Hometown Holidays celebration. (Kelly Moyer/Post-Record files)
(Kelly Moyer/Post-Record)
The Christmas Ships will return to Camas-Washougal Saturday, Dec. 2, 2023. (Contributed photo courtesy of Christmas Ships organization)
A volunteer offers hula hoops to families waiting in line to see Santa Claus during the 2021 Camas Hometown Holidays event. (Kelly Moyer/Post-Record files)
A float makes its way through downtown Washougal during the 2021 Washougal Lighted Parade. (Doug Flanagan/Post-Record files)
Camas-Washougal residents will have their pick of local holiday events to attend this season.
In a new twist for 2023, the cities of Camas and Washougal joined forces with the Port of Camas-Washougal and the Camas Parks Foundation to create a 2023 calendar of winter holiday events happening in Camas and Washougal through the end of December.
Turkey Bingo at Lacamas Lodge
That calendar kicks off next week with the Camas Parks Foundation’s popular Turkey Bingo fundraiser event Friday, Nov. 17, at Lacamas Lake Lodge, 227 N.E. Lake Road, Camas.
There will be two Turkey Bingo sessions this year: from 5:30 to 7 p.m. and from 7:30 to 9 p.m.
Adults will play to win turkeys, pies and other prizes, while children will play to win snacks and toys. There is a one-turkey-per-family limit. The event also will have food and drinks, including beer, wine, soft drinks and water, available for purchase. All proceeds benefit the Parks Foundation’s future programs, events and scholarships.
Participants must pre-register at cityofcamas.us/parksrec/page/camas-parks-recreation-annual-turkey-bingo and pre-pay for one $10 Bingo card per person to reserve a spot.
Camas Hometown Holidays
The winter holiday season shifts into high gear in December, with the annual Camas Hometown Holidays event set for 5 to 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 1, throughout downtown Camas.
Coordinated and run by the city of Camas’ Parks and Recreation Department, in conjunction with the Downtown Camas Association and the Camas-Washougal Chamber of Commerce, this year’s Hometown Holidays will feature the popular tree-lighting ceremony in front of the Liberty Theatre.
Visit cityofcamas.us/parksrec/page/hometown-holidays-0, to learn more about this year’s Hometown Holidays festivities, street closures, parking and shuttle services.
Christmas Ships
The annual Christmas Ships event at 6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 2, at the Port of Camas-Washougal’s waterfront properties, 24 South “A” St., Washougal. The combined Columbia and Willamette River fleets will assemble in front of the Port of Camas-Washougal headquarters at 6 p.m. Dec. 2, and parade in the area for an hour before making their way back to Portland along the Washington side of the Columbia River, arriving back in the Portland-Vancouver area around 8:30 p.m. For more information, visit christmasships.org.
Wrap Party at the Camas library
The Camas Public Library’s Wrap Party from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Monday, Dec. 4: Meant for adults, this event provides tape, scissors and some wrapping paper for adults looking for a place to wrap presents without interruptions. Participants are encouraged to bring gifts and extra wrapping supplies. The event will be held in the Camas library’s meeting rooms. For more information, visit camaspubliclibrary.evanced.info/signup/Calendar
Washougal Christmas Parade & Tree Lighting
The annual Washougal Christmas Parade and Tree Lighting event kicks off at 5 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 7, in downtown Washougal, with selfies with Santa (participants should bring their own cameras) available from 5 to 6 p.m.
The parade begins in downtown Washougal at 6 p.m. and the tree lighting ceremony will take place at 6:45 p.m., following the parade, in Reflection Plaza , 1703 Main St., Washougal.
For those unable to attend the event in-person, the city of Washougal will livestream the lighted parade and tree lighting on its Facebook page at facebook.com/WashougalGov.
The Washougal High School band and choir will perform during the annual holiday event, the city of Washougal will provide cookies and hot cocoa during and after the parade.
The City is still accepting applications from businesses and community groups that want to be part of the lighted parade. Entry in the parade is free and all parade participants must have a lighted element.
Parade entries are available at Washougal City Hall and online at cityofwashougal.us/ParadeApplication. Entries are due by noon Monday, Nov. 27.
Reading Dragons Read-a-Thon
The city of Camas will host a “Reading Dragons and Friends Winter Read-a-Thon” from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 29, at the Camas Public Library, 625 N.E. Fourth Ave., Camas.
The Reading Dragons program encourages children to read more during the school year using dragon trading cards, a reading tracker and checklist.
For more information about the Reading Dragons program, visit www.tinyurl.com/y7e2m6wy and for more information about the Dec. 29 read-a-thon, visit camaspubliclibrary.evanced.info/signup/Calendar.
