Laura Hixson of St. Mary’s Services attaches holiday lights to a tree Friday at Esther Short Park in downtown Vancouver. It takes a crew of four an entire day to string more than 20,000 lights in preparation for the community tree-lighting, which will take place at 6 p.m. Friday. (Psst: Santa will be there!)
As part of the Downtown Holidazzle, there will be a variety of activities and entertainment during the afternoon and evening. From 3 to 7 p.m., there will be train rides around the park, and Vancouver Farmers Market vendors will sell their goods. The Dixieland Jazz Band will play at the Vancouver Hilton at 3 p.m., the Vancouver Community Concert Band will perform at 4 p.m., and the Vancouver Pops Orchestra will perform at 6:20 p.m. Just before the tree-lighting, at 5:30 p.m., Vancouver high school choirs will sing in the park.