Ring in the Holidays Valley Style: More Local Activities to Enjoy this Weekend!

The festivities continue this weekend in Snoqualmie and North Bend with two more fun ways to safely celebrate the season.

Holiday Grinch Parade-North Bend

This tradition started in 2016, when a local Snoqualmie Valley real estate company, Frost Home Team, wanted to put on an appreciation event for their clients and the community.  Doing something around the holidays seemed like the perfect fit.

Their first event was to rent out the North Bend Theatre and show the Grinch movie starring Jim Carey.  The Grinch Holiday Movie Event became a yearly tradition with decorations for the theatre, a photo booth, baked goodies to share, and homemade ornaments for each guest.

Before starting the movie, they would treat everyone to free popcorn, soda, and a photo opportunity with the Grinch and Cindy Lou Who.  Each year Mary Miller took professional photos capturing the event to later share with the community.  As the event grew, they started a raffle showcasing Grinch themed goody baskets with proceeds benefiting the Snoqualmie Valley Food Bank.  In 2019 they broke their record and donated $450!

Since that first year, the family friendly event evolved and grew in popularity.  In 2016 they didn’t fill the entire theatre, but the next year people RSVP’d in droves.  In 2020 they were hoping to celebrate their 5th year memorably, but Covid had other plans and forced them to get creative and pivot to an event respecting the current times. 

They decided to bring Whoville and the Grinch to the community through a parade! The parade will carry on this annual tradition and be a surefire way of spreading some holiday cheer.  As the float rolls by, it will be playing music, making it snow, handing out goody bags, and hopefully bringing smiles to the faces of kids and adults alike.

There will be two photo opportunities in Si View and Forster Woods, along with free hot cocoa and apple cider served by the Trail Youth Coffee Home.  For details about the event, please visit the Frost Home Team Facebook page.

Trail Youth was thrilled when Stephanie Frost contacted them to be a part of their annual Grinch event. During this time of isolation, it is even more imperative that teens and the whole community experience the love, value, and direct support that the Trail Youth offers.

They are all about pouring value into youth and our community. Covid has caused them to pivot to continue their mission while also adhering to the Governors’ restrictions and guidelines. The community helped them purchase a “Coffee Home on Wheels.” The coffee trailer helps them offer the TY experience to those who can’t get to them. They look forward to bringing their mobile trailer to Si View and Forster Woods community this Saturday and serving hot cocoa and cider!

Snoqualmie Winter Lights-Snoqualmie

The winter lights began on Thanksgiving and run through New Year’s for holiday cheer all season long.  The trail makes for a delightful holiday drive and has many stops for selfies and holiday photos or grab and go treats from local shops and restaurants. Please maintain social distancing and wear masks when outside of your vehicle.

The trail map will guide you to the dazzling light displays that start at the Salish Lodge & Spa, continues along Railroad Ave SE along the tracks to Railroad Park and the gazebo, light up the Historic Snoqualmie boardwalk, and continues to the majestic walnut tree on Falls Ave SE. 

Next stop: Head back toward the Salish Lodge & Spa, turn left onto Snoqualmie Parkway, take a peek at the Snow Plow train, and go up to the Hampton Inn & Suites courtyard and Sno-King Ice Arena for festive family displays. 

Printable Trail Map for Snoqualmie Winter Lights (JPG)

Don’t forget the following holiday activities are ongoing!

• The inaugural Light up North Bend contest is being judged Saturday. A downloadable map will be compiled for community distribution so that residents may do a Light Up North Bend Holiday Spirit Drive and tour all the twinkling, decorated homes that participated.
• Starting today, Santa will be at Eastside Fire and Rescue’s Station 83 Friday and Saturday nights from 5-8 pm for socially distant photos.
• The North Bend Theatre will play two 15-minute episodes of the holiday Classis the Cinnamon Bear every night beginning December 12 through December 24 on 89.1 FM. The broadcast will be audible within a two-block radius of the theatre at 125 Bendigo Blvd N. in North Bend.

Have a happy (and healthy) holiday weekend!