Medical Lake's annual Winter Festival continues to grow

It may be hard to top the 2016 version of the Re*Imagine Christmas Winter Festival in Medical Lake but they'll try.

"Last year it was 'cue the snow,'" festival director Terri Cooper said. "People that came downtown (said) it was like walking into a Hallmark movie which is exactly what we're trying to create."

This year's event takes place Saturday, Dec. 9, from 1 – 7 p.m. It has grown again to include a number of new additions, most notably a fireworks display that coincides with the 5 p.m. lighting of the city's Christmas tree at Coney Island Park.

Other events include the "Stocking Stuffer 5K Fun Run." Details and a complete schedule can be found at medicallake.org.

Also new this year is a Christmas Village located at Lake and Lefevre. A committee has been working on the project for two months, Cooper said. The theme is "Medical Lake Goes Whoville," following a popular Dr. Suess book.

Ross Niblock, who works with theater programs at both Medical Lake High School and Middle School will help with plays.

The middle school's Cougar Drama Club presents "It's A Wonderful Life," while the Cardinal Players from the high school offers "A Christmas Carole." Performances take place a 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. at their respective schools.

"And while they're running those shows all weekend, Dec. 9 they are free, donations accepted," Cooper said.

Medical Lake High School's Family and Consumer Science Department will operate concessions for the event. Visitors will have warming fires, live tree sales, music and live entertainment by DJ Matty, hot drink and snack vendors, with restaurants and businesses open extended hours.

Also new is a parade that will begin at Medical Lake High. "It's an impromptu dress anything in lights from your dog to your kid to your car," Cooper said. Lineup begins at 4:30 p.m. on Barker Street, and it will lead Santa Claus to Coney Island Park for the tree lighting at 5 p.m.

The day will also feature official royalty with the snow king and queen representing the middle school and prince and princess from Hallett Elementary School. Both will ride in the parade in antique cars. The high school Homecoming royalty will also take part in the parade.

The event has morphed from simply a tree lighting ceremony and a few scattered activities. "We're trying to grow that idea but still keep it small town," Cooper said.

That's how it was for years but with Re*Imagine wanting to bring the community together. "Businesses stayed open late, so that's kind of where it all started," Cooper said.

Re*Imagine Medical Lake, founded in 2015, is a 501c3 non-profit citizen driven organization founded by residents who want to create a vibrant, local community.

Re*Imagine Medical Lake

PO Box 344

Medical Lake, WA 99022

[email protected]

medicallake.org

Paul Delaney can be reached at [email protected].