Sisters makes change to holiday tradition

Sisters’ hometown parade and tree lighting have become beloved traditions for locals and visitors alike. They’re happening again this weekend — but in a new way.

Sisters Park & Recreation District (SPRD) is combining two holiday favorites into one spectacular event called The Holiday Palooza. The event will kick off with the holiday parade down Main Avenue (a new route) at 3 p.m. on Saturday, November 25, and culminate with holiday activities, including the tree lighting ceremony at Fir Street Park that same afternoon (changed from Friday evening). Festivities will run until 5:30 p.m.

This is the second year the events have been hosted by SPRD.

Jennifer Holland, executive director for SPRD, said that the changes allow the District to make a bigger and more engaging single event experience out of the tradition, and the routing and scheduling are more efficient for both SPRD and the City of Sisters.

Holland told The Nugget that there are 29 entries in the Christmas Parade. Santa Claus will bring up the tail end of the parade, riding in a Sisters-Camp Sherman Fire District fire truck.

“After the parade, he will circle back to Fir Street Park, and there will be photo opportunities,” Holland said.

There will be a Letters to Santa station, where youngsters can drop off missives to St. Nick — and expect a personalized reply by mid-December.

Holland noted that the event is sponsored by Kizziar Property Co. and Sisters Woodlands.