Community warms Light Up Monroe

The Monroe Chamber of Commerce kicked off the holiday season with its annual Light Up Monroe festival over the weekend, with numerous residents braving the cold to witness the lighting of Monroe's new permanent tree in Traveler's Park.

Attendance was light during the festival's afternoon activities, due to a last-minute reorganization that shifted to celebration from Main Street to South Lewis. Monroe Chamber of Commerce Director Una Wirkebau scrambled to move the event, after a Main Street business owner voiced concerns about parking. As a result, the activities were less visible, taking place somewhat off the beaten path.

Additionally, a holiday bazaar planned for North Lewis Street had to be moved to Cascade Community Church, which is located near the Fryelands. This caused the afternoon's activities to be somewhat disjointed, Wirkebau said, and definitely impacted attendance.-á

Fortunately, said Wirkebau, local entrepreneur Dan Lafleur allowed the festivities to take place on his property. Lafleur owns the building where Northwest Auto and the Beverage Stop are located, across the street from the Keg-N-Cue Tavern. Wirkebau said he stepped up in a big way.

"Dan Lafleur was lovely,GÇ¥ Wirkebau said. "If it wasn't for him, this wouldn't have been possible.GÇ¥

The afternoon festivities included live musical performances, free paint ball, hot food from Atsuki's Food Truck, hot chocolate and cider from the Monroe High School Bearcat cheerleaders and hand-crafted chocolates made by second-generation chocolatier Mike Poe. Inside the Masonic lodge, Mar-Team Photography offered free photos with Santa Claus, Walmart co-manager Ben Allen had crafts for kids, and there was a cookie-decorating fundraiser to support the Monroe High School cheerleaders.

Dashing Dutchman's Deli co-owner Ernst "DutchmanGÇ¥ Terhorst drove guests down to Traveler's Park around 7 p.m. for the tree lighting in "da Bus,GÇ¥ a passenger bus sponsored by several Monroe business owners. The city's new 14-foot permanent tree came from the Pine Creek Nursery, and was planted by the Monroe Parks Department.

Monroe Parks Director Mike Farrell operated a snow machine to momentarily transform Traveler's Park into a winter wonderland.

Monroe Mayor Geoffrey Thomas thanked attendees and acknowledged the chamber for its work in organizing the event. He also thanked the new Downtown Monroe Association (DMA) for lighting up Main Street with Christmas lights and Monroe city staff for planting the new tree.

"Our community is a compassionate community; one full of warmth,GÇ¥ Thomas said. "It may be cold, but we're out here tonight in friendship and fellowship to light this beautiful tree here.GÇ¥