Kick off the holiday season with a community tree lighting in Esther Short Park at 5:30 p.m. Nov. 25. It includes free coffee and cocoa along with a concert by the Vancouver school district’s combined High School Choir. Following the ceremony, enjoy a free holiday concert by the Vancouver Pops Orchestra at 6:30 p.m. at the Hilton Vancouver Washington. Then tour the decorated trees and wreaths filling the Pearson Air Museum throughout the weekend, along with the Talking Tree, photos with Santa or Mrs. Claus, and a scavenger hunt.
When: Tree viewing noon to 9 p.m. Nov. 25; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Nov. 26; 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Nov. 27.
Where: Esther Short Park, 301 W. Eighth St.; Hilton Vancouver Washington, 301 W. Sixth St.; Pearson Air Museum, 1115 E. Fifth St., Vancouver.
Admission: Free; nonperishable food or financial donations encouraged.
Telephone: 360-750-0409.
On the Web: rotaryfestivaloftrees.org.
Hot Butter Run and Kandy Kane Race
Part of the Vancouver Rotary Foundation’s Festival of Trees, the race is a 12-kilometer run that will start and finish at the Pearson Air Museum, along with a 5K walk/run, a “Kids’ Kandy Kane” race for those ages 3-7 and a “Kids Kandy Kane 1K” for those ages 5-12. After the run, join the party with DJ Paradox and Santa Claus, enjoy hot buttered rums and hot chocolate while touring the Festival of Trees. Online registration is closed.