It’s finally that time of year! With Christmas is right around the corner, many Tri-Citians are making plans for the special day and gathering gifts for their loved ones. The COVID-19 pandemic has thrown a wrench into the normalcy that we’ve come to enjoy during the holiday season. States have been forced to implement restrictions on the size of gatherings, business schedules, and more. This time of year is special to people the world over. We in the Tri-Cities have formed a tight-knit community, establishing traditions that have been running since the 1960’s. This year, they will continue as scheduled, with special accommodations being made to maintain social distancing regulations. Safety is always the foremost concern with these events, but even more so this year given the current global situation.
Boat Shows and Christmas Lights
Occasional boat parades traveling up and down the Columbia River, which can be viewed safely from the banks while remaining in your vehicle, will be complimented by the returning, longstanding “Christmas Carrol Lane” in Kennewick. The vast majority of homeowners in this neighborhood (located between West 23rd & 26th Avenue), illuminate their properties with impressive displays of Christmas-themed lights and decorations. This event has been occurring since the 1960’s and isn’t showing signs of stopping any time soon. It’s the perfect excuse to gather the family and take a leisurely drive, experiencing the hard work and dedication that makes this neighborhood tradition so special.
Senske Light Show
Senske Services, a local all-inclusive landscaping company, will be hosting their 18th annual light show at 400 N. Quay St., just north of Clearwater Ave in Kennewick. The yearly show puts on a dazzling display of over half a million individual lights, creating a magical atmosphere which can be seen from several blocks away. The lights flicker and dance to the music with which they are synced, and spectators can tune in to 90.3 FM in their vehicles to get the full experience. If you have the chance to take your family to the lightshow, children can drop off letters addressed to Santa Claus at an on-site drop box. Senske will expedite the shipping in order to get the letters out to the Big Man in time for Christmas. The display will be open to the public from 5:00 pm to midnight, every day until the end of the month (December 31).
Winter Wonderland
If you live closer to Richland, you may be inclined to check out the Winter Wonderland Festival of Lights in John Dam Plaza. Sponsored by HAPO Credit Union and utilizing the new HAPO Community Stage in the heart of the park, the festival is offers thousands of dancing lights, local food carts, and music projecting throughout the area. There is also a dropbox for Santa Claus at this event, so be sure to have your children address their letters to the North Pole ahead of time!
We have cultivated a local, family-friendly atmosphere that differentiates our community from others in the region, as we are all members of the Tri-City family.
