Schools Foundation sets holiday events

2017 1101 celebrate

For the fifth straight year, the popular holiday event “Celebrate the Season” returns to the Port’s Event Center on the first weekend of December.

Anacortes Schools Foundation volunteers turn the Port’s Event Center into a winter wonderland for two days of family-oriented fun on Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 2 & 3. Then the evening is ASF’s annual “Dream It” fundraising dinner and auction.

Tickets for the dinner are available now.

“Celebrate the Season” daytime events feature a marketplace for unique gifts by local crafters and non-profit organizations – many benefitting student groups.

This year, Fidalgo Island Rotary will bring in their “Whoville” decorations as well. There are activities for kids, teams, adults and families,” noted Art Shotwell, Foundation president. “On Saturday, we invite families to come in after the holiday parade and enjoy the entertainment we have lined up.”

Funds generated by this event go towards programs supported by Anacortes Schools Foundation including STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) and Early Learning enrichment programs.

During the two open days of the event, guests will enjoy photos with Santa, make craft projects, warm-up with hot chocolate and cookies, and a holiday shopping marketplace offering unique gifts and food items. This year there will be no admission charge.

Saturday, Dec. 2nd will feature afternoon entertainment by the Fidalgo Elementary School Choir, Wren & Della, a local juggling duo, plus other entertainment still in the works. On Sunday, Dec. 3rd, the focus will be on Gingerbread. Student and adult teams will test their creativity as they compete in decorating gingerbread houses for prizes and, of course, bragging rights. Gingerbread entries will be judged by a panel of community leaders. In addition, children of all ages will be able to decorate mini-houses of their own to take home.

The signature event of “Celebrate the Season” is the “Dream It” dinner and auction. This year it will be held on Saturday evening Dec. 2 - also at the Port’s Event Center. This will be a lively evening featuring dinner catered by Gere-a-Deli, a live auction followed by the Patrick McHenry live band. Doors open at 6:30 PM. Tickets are available for $50 per person on the Web at anacortesschoolsfoundation.org/celebrate or in person at Johnny Picasso’s downtown.

Celebrate the Season is sponsored by these fine businesses and individuals:  Port of Anacortes, Trident Seafoods, Playhouse Dental, Sierra Pacific Industries, Dakota Creek Industries, Anacortes Financial Associates, Diamond Rentals, Kiwanis Sunrisers, T-Shirts by Design, Fidalgo Rotary, Conrardy Design Group and Washington Tractor Co.

Anacortes Schools Foundation is a non-profit charitable foundation with 501(c)3 status. ASF was established in 1984 and benefits students at all levels with college and vocational scholarships, early learning support and STEM enrichment opportunities. All proceeds from the “Celebrate the Season” event support Anacortes School District programs including comprehensive STEM enrichment initiatives. More information is available at www.anacortesschoolsfoundation.org.