After cancellations in previous years for weather and COVID, Pumpkin Palooza will return for 2021!  The free Halloween event will be held Saturday, October 30, 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. on Main Street between Elm & Pine.  The Farmers’ Market will open at regular time (8:00 a.m.) and remain open for the duration of the event.  In addition to favorites like the downtown merchant candy crawl, activity booths, pumpkin roll, costume contest, ghost hunt, and giant pumpkin weigh-in, 2021 brings the return of the Baking Contests, plus BINGO and a Cake/Treat Walk.  Other entertainment includes Story Time, a performance from Babaloo, interactive Safety Town, Pony Rides, and Monkey Bus.  

More information, as well as registration forms and a complete schedule of events, can be found at www.washmochamber.org/pumpkin or on the “Pumpkin Palooza (2021)” Facebook Event.  For additional questions, please contact the Washington Area Chamber of Commerce at (636) 239-2715 or e-mail cquennoz@washmo.org.  

On-site Registration Only:
Pumpkin Roll (register by 11:45 a.m.)
Pumpkin Decorating / Ugliest Pumpkin / Ugliest Gourd  (register by 2:00 p.m.)

Pre-Registration Encouraged:
Baking Contests
Giant Pumpkin Weigh-In

No Registration Required:
Farmers’ Market Cake/Treat Walk
Ghost Hunt
BINGO
Costume Contest

​The Washington Farmers’ Market will host its annual “Craft & Gift Expo” on Saturday, November 20 at the Washington Knights of Columbus Hall.  The one-day event will begin at 9 a.m. and end at 3 p.m.  The expo will feature over 60 booths, including vendors from the Washington Farmers’ Market, as well as other local businesses, direct sales companies, and craft/gift sellers.  There is no admission charge for the event.  Food and drink will be available for purchase.

Interested vendors should register online at www.washmomarket.com/expo.  Questions can be directed to Amanda at the Washington Area Chamber of Commerce (636-239-2715 x106, info@washmomarket.com).  More information on the Washington Farmers’ Market and the Craft & Gift Expo can be found at www.washmomarket.com.  

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More Info on the Banquet:

• Date:  Saturday, April 10
• Time: 6:00 p.m. Cocktails, 7:00 p.m. Dinner
• Tickets:  $50/person
• ​RSVP to: Cheryl (636-239-2715 x102)

Would you like to support any of these events through sponsorship?  We have multiple commitment levels available, so you can choose the amount and benefits that work best for your business!  Learn more on our sponsorship blog post, and then sign-up with our online form.  Thank you!

On the Sunday after Thanksgiving, we celebrated a different, but still magical Olde Fashioned Christmas event!  With a small army of volunteers, lights were hung, donated decorations were placed throughout the Main & Elm parking lot and goodies were staged along the route.

Participants received an event booklet with activities and a coloring sheet, crayons, and candy canes early in the line, and then received hot cocoa or cider and sugar cookies as they pulled in front of the Farmers' Market.  A take-home craft packet was given to children as they drove through the decoration display, and after driving past the live reindeer and Mr. & Mrs. Claus, children had a chance to leave a letter for Santa at the North Pole Post Office.

Olde Fashioned Christmas is always a free event, but this year we did encourage participants donate canned goods.  In total, 208 items and $135 were taken to Loving Hearts Outreach after the event.

Our traffic plan worked well for the 300 cars that drove through the event and we saw many excited and grateful smiles. 

​Thank you to everyone that helped make this event a success!

In keeping with the “adapt and overcome” theme of 2020, the Washington Area Chamber of Commerce and Washington Parks Department will host a very different version of the annual “Olde Fashioned Christmas” event on Sunday, November 29. 
The drive-thru event will be held in the Main & Elm parking lot, which will become a magical display of lights and decorations – complete with Santa and reindeer.  Children will still be treated to hot cocoa, hot cider, cookies, crafts, and candy canes.  A North Pole Post Office will be set up to accept letters to Santa.
Olde Fashioned Christmas (2020 Edition) will begin at 5 p.m. on Sunday, November 29 and end at 7 p.m.  The line will begin on Main Street at Cedar.  Cars are asked to enter from the west end of 2nd street, turning onto Pine, and then onto Main.  Volunteers will be present to direct traffic, and will also be collecting non-perishable food donations for local food pantries.
Outdoor decorations and lights are needed to transform the area to a Winter Wonderland.  Items to be donated or borrowed can be brought to the Chamber Office (323 W Main Street, Washington) by Friday, November 20.  Office Hours are Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.  To make other drop-off arrangements, please contact Cheryl, cquennoz@washmo.org.

​Dear Members,
While we had been moving forward with plans to hold our Winter Mixer in December, a decision has now been made to cancel the event.  As the number of COVID cases in our community continues to rise, we want to do our part to keep people safe.  Please continue to take precautions to reduce the spread and keep your family healthy and happy through the holiday season. 
This year has been challenging, to say the very least, for everyone.  We have all learned a lot about ourselves, our businesses, and our community.  Please know that the Chamber is here to support you in the difficult times - providing resources, raising awareness, and cheering you on!
As we look to 2021, uncertain but hopeful, we remain focused on our mission to serve this community by strengthening businesses, boosting the local economic climate, and enhancing the quality of life of area residents.
On behalf of our board and staff, we wish you a season free of quarantine and illness, a wonderful Thanksgiving, a very Merry Christmas, and the happiest and healthiest New Year!