Christmas at the Confluence in Pateros Wednesday night

Santa Claus will take time out from his Christmas schedule to come to Pateros and help light the community Christmas tree (and he'll even bring the Missus) during Christmas at the Confluence, the annual holiday celebration in Pateros, Wednesday, Dec. 17, beginning at 5:30 p.m. in Pateros Memorial Park.

At least that's when Pateros Chamber of Commerce members will start serving hot chocolate and cookies; since it's December and everything. The Pateros Fire Department has agreed to start a campfire or two (in fire pits, of course). There will be Christmas music, maybe even some Christmas carols, and the crew from Lake Pateros Rentals will offer hay rides around the block.

Santa and Mrs. Claus will arrive in the park at about 6 p.m.; the reindeer have got to keep their legs fresh - big night coming up - so Santa has to leave them back at the North Pole, but the firefighters have graciously offered Santa and Mrs. Claus a ride to the park. Santa will light the tree first thing, then he's available for children who want to talk over those Christmas wishes. There's a bag of candy for every child, courtesy of the Chamber.

There's also a Christmas coloring contest for children 10 years of age and younger, with the winners announced during the party. The pictures are available at Pateros Elementary School, Pateros City Hall or at participating Chamber businesses around town. There are four age groups, beginning with four years of age and under, kindergarten and first grade, second and third grade and fourth and fifth grade. The winner in each age group will receive a $10 gift certificate good at participating businesses in Pateros. All the entries will be displayed in Chamber businesses around town during the holiday season.

The Chamber also is sponsoring a raffle for a Pateros-centric gift basket, with the winner drawn during the town party. It will include merchandise and gift certificates from participating Pateros merchants. Tickets are $1 and will be available at Pateros City Hall and at participating businesses.