Sherwood Holiday Festival, art market coming Dec. 6
Two holiday events coincide in Old Town this Saturday
Sherwoodians can get in the mood for cozy season with two events slated to coincide in Old Town on Saturday, Dec. 6.
The Sherwood Holiday Festival annual celebration plans begin at 4 p.m. with a parade, tree lighting ceremony, Santa tent, snacks, and more hosted by the Robin Hood Festival Association.
On the same day from 1-6 p.m., Mosaic Arts Loft is hosting a Heritage Holiday Market and Open House at their Old Town location, 16017 S.W. First St., for the second year in a row. This event supports local women small business owners.
Sherwood Holiday Festival
The Sherwood Holiday Festival event kicks off at 4 p.m. with a parade starting near Southwest 12th Street and Southwest Sherwood Boulevard, traveling through Cannery Square and Old Town, and featuring the Sherwood High School Marching Band, the Maid Marian Court, and Santa Claus.
The tree lighting is slated for 5 p.m. at Cannery Square Park featuring a visit from Santa, live music from local school choirs including the Mixolydians, the Sherwood High School Chorus, and younger school choirs, as well as a sing-along with the Maid Marian Court.
Visitors can meet Santa and his elves at the Santa tent, as well as snack on cookies and hot chocolate from Symposium Coffee.
Sandy Wallace, secretary of the Sherwood Robin Hood Festival Association, said the association hosts the event with the support of the City of Sherwood, Langer’s Entertainment Center, and several other sponsors, participants, and volunteers.
“We have a Santa Tent and give those visiting Santa a free Santa bag, while supplies last," Wallace said. "The Junior Maid Marian Court serves as Santa's elves.”
The tree lighting countdown is planned to be led by Sherwood City Council President Kim Young, according to Wallace.
“This tradition was revitalized in 1984 by the Sherwood Robin Hood Festival Association. A tree had been erected, in years past, in the middle of the intersection of Southwest Washington and First Streets,” Wallace said. “The receptacle to hold the tree still existed at that time, hence the tradition was started up once again. The town population was much smaller than these days, as was the event.”
She said the event was then moved to a gravel parking lot at Southwest Pine and First Streets, where buildings including a theater had been demolished — which is now the present site of the Robin Hood Plaza.
After Cannery Square Park was established, the tree lighting event was moved there, where it now takes place.
“The population has grown, as has this event,” Wallace said. “Volunteers are always welcomed and needed.”
Heritage Holiday Market and Open House
Ann Brucker is the owner of Mosaic Arts Loft and an artist herself, creating painted canvases, cozy mugs, and home decor vases. Lots of art created by local artists — which make lovely locally-made gifts — will be for sale at Saturday's open house and holiday market.
“Come be inspired and discover meaningful gifts at our Second Annual Heritage Holiday Market, celebrating and supporting local women creatives and small business owners,” Brucker said in an email.
The market is set to highlight art lesson pack specials for young creatives, which includes a bonus art box kit with enrollment.
There will also be new pottery releases from local potters Wendy Hinderhofer and Wendy Abraham, debuting new forms and glazes for home decor, table settings, and handcrafted mugs, according to Brucker.
The market will also feature artwork of Oregon’s wild mustangs by Amy Whitley; miniature painted ornaments featuring scenes from the Chehalem Valley to France along with vibrant home decor prints from resident artist Jaelynn Harris; fresh floral prints from resident artist Denise Hill; and handcrafted leather jewelry and accessories by artisan Jennifer Radspinner of Leather and Fray.
“I am a figurative artist, small-business owner, art mentor and educator, wife, mother, and grandmother, living and creating in Sherwood,” Brucker said. “Art-making is a form of worship for me, filled with anticipation and joy. As I paint, I express my faith through imagery that follows the contours of my spirit, leaving me with a deep sense of completion and fulfillment. My desire is to share that joy with my collectors.”
Check out the Sherwood Sun's calendar of events to see more upcoming fun scheduled right here in town!
