The trees are shedding leaves, the skies are turning gray — and the island’s big winter party is almost here.
WinterFest returns to Vashon on Saturday, Dec. 7, bringing community cheer, festive gifts and fun as the island rings in the holiday season. Every year, hundreds of islanders come out to the main drag of town to find it transformed into a winter wonderland for all ages.
The festivities officially begin with a parade down Vashon Highway SW, starting at Vashon Village across from Ober Park and concluding at the south end of town by the Presbyterian church. Lighted tractors, floats, walkers and Santa Claus himself will march down the street — and immediately afterward, festivities will include singing, dancing, photos with Santa, and of course, the lighting of the great big tree.
All throughout WinterFest, island shops and restaurants will offer special gifts and food, and the chance to win prizes with coupons that you’ll only find in next week’s (Dec. 5) edition of The Beachcomber. Clip the Merchant Open House coupons from next week’s paper, and take a stroll around town, enjoying crafts, games, warm drinks, candy canes, and more from Vashon’s friendliest faces.
WinterFest, hosted yearly by the Vashon Chamber of Commerce, shuts down Vashon Highway from 171st (Ober Park) and 178th (Vashon Theatre) streets between 4:30 and 7:30 p.m. to keep pedestrians safe. Parking along the highway closes a half hour earlier at 4 p.m. so cars have time to clear the streets and organizers can set up.
The Chamber thanks Vashon Island Sotheby’s International Realty, Vitalitree and Vashon ACE Hardward this year for their sponsorship support of WinterFest.
WinterFest schedule
• 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.: Visit the Grinch’s Market at Vashon Theatre.
• 4 p.m.: Enjoy family story time and crafts at the Vashon Library. Join librarian Amelia for songs and books to kick off the holiday season, and afterward, make a jingle bell craft and grab a cup of hot cocoa to take out to the Winterfest parade.
• 5 p.m.: The parade begins, led this year by third grade students from Chautauqua Elementary School. They will be followed by Vashon Fire & Rescue, other parade participants, and finally, Mrs. and Mr. Claus.
• 5:30 p.m. (approximately): Following the parade, Santa will light the big tree by the Presbyterian church after a musical welcome
• 6 p.m.: Catch a free showing of “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” featuring Jim Carrey at Vashon Theatre.
Santa and Mrs. Claus wave to the crowd at WinterFest 2023. (Alex Bruell photo)
The Island Chorale performs in the Backlot of the Vashon Theatre during last year’s WinterFest. (Jim Diers photo)
Kids smile for the camera while riding down Vashon Highway SW during the 2023 WinterFest parade. (Jim Diers photo)
Matt Beursken, as a Christmas-clad Edgar the Forest King (inspired by Vashon’s own Oscar the Bird King) rolls down Vashon Highway last December. (Jim Diers photo)
