Be of good cheer

By Pat Jenkins

The Dispatch

Folks dreaming of a white Christmas got a wet night instead as Eatonville celebrated the arrival of the season last Saturday. But it was all good.

Revelers dressed for the cold and rain lined Mashell Avenue for the traditional parade, which capped the annual Christmas in Eatonville celebration.

Before the procession that included sights such as vehicles decked out with multi-colored lights, families flocked to the Eatonville Visitors Center for visits with Santa Claus, refreshments, and live holiday music.

Inside, proud parents took photographs of their children and enjoyed the moment – even if the kids didn't, as was the case for Petra Baublito, who cried and fussed while her mother, Melissa, laughed good-naturedly during her toddler's time on the lap of the jolly gentleman in red.

Outside, a hardy group of carolers and instrumentalists performed for everyone's listening pleasure. The cheerful sound of holiday standards wafted through the darkness.

The performers included Charlie Butler playing his baritone. He said he's been in the holiday band every year since 2009.

"Most of us have been together since the beginning. We sort of wing it" each year, he said, noting that the musicians get together "about an hour or so" before their performance to practice.

The music, the Santa experiences and a tree-lighting in front of the visitors center led up to the parade, which headed down Mashell Avenue at 6 o'clock. Before it started, people under umbrellas staked out their vantage points on the sidewalks.

Among the spectators in the glow of streetlights were Michelle Cortez and her family. They enjoyed the sights and sounds and didn't mind waiting and watching in the rain.

"Since we moved up here from California about a year ago and didn't know how crowded it would get, we decided to come out early enough to get a good spot," Cortez said.

The official kickoff of Christmas was sponsored by the Eatonville Chamber of Commerce.

Photographer Jim Bryant contributed to this report.