Christmas at the Park showcases the season of giving and celebrating

The official weather report will not note any snow in Vancouver on Friday night, but through the magic of Christmas, it looked like it was snowing at Esther Short Park as part of Christmas at the Park festivities, courtesy of Activate Church. Photo by Paul Valencia

Some 500 toys and 150 Christmas trees were given to families in need as Activate Church held Christmas at the Park for the 10th year

Paul Valencia
ClarkCountyToday.com

The weather conditions were not ideal yet people still gathered outside in downtown Vancouver to celebrate the season.

It had rained all day, and it was cold and windy, too, when the party officially opened at 6 p.m., yet people stood in line to take part.

Due to the restoration project of the Salmon Run Bell Tower, there were fewer lights available to showcase the event, but that did not deter people from gathering at Esther Short Park on Friday.

Sure, there were a few obstacles, but Christmas at the Park is not to be missed.

“We wanted to let people know … Jesus is all about giving,” said Isaac Maddox of Activate Church.

Kari and Isaac Maddox, lead pastors of Activate Church, said the church has been giving away Christmas trees for years at the Christmas at the Park celebration at Esther Short Park in downtown Vancouver. This year, the event also gave away 500 toys in a toy drive. Photo by Paul Valencia

Isaac and Kari Maddox are the lead pastors at the church.

“For us, it’s not a gimmick to try to get someone to come to our church,” Isaac Maddox said. “We want people to know that regardless if you ever come to our church, this is what Christmas is about.”

Christmas at the Park had all the ingredients of a seasonal party, with live music, dancers, characters, hot chocolate, cookies, candy, and more. But it also is an event to give. Church members gave out 500 toys and 150 Christmas trees to families in need. The church also handed out cards for people to exchange for clothing at the church’s Dream Center.

“Why do we feel good about Christmas?” Isaac Maddox asked. “Why is it magical? Why does watching a Christmas movie make them feel warm? Why does a cookie taste so good? It’s because of Jesus. Jesus is the whole reason for this whole thing. That’s why we’re here.”

Volunteers help out with the Christmas Cookies tables. Some 1,500 cookies were baked for Christmas at the Park this year, and more than 200 volunteers helped put on the event at Esther Short Park. Photo by Paul Valencia

This was the 10th year for Christmas at the Park. Activate Church seems to come up with new ideas each year, as well. This year was the toy drive. The event also featured a snow machine, producing magical snowflakes as “Elsa” and “Anna” from “Frozen” performed their famous songs.

Activate has approximately 1,400 members, serving the Camas/Washougal area. The church has always wanted it to be known that it is there for all of Clark County.

“We wanted to be a church that came out to the community and let the community know who we are and why we do what we do,” Isaac Maddox said, referring to the beginnings of Christmas at the Park. “We wanted to sing Christmas carols in our city and just do Christmas stuff in the heart of the city. For Vancouver, Esther Short Park is it.”

With that inspiration, Kari Maddox said church members, and sponsors, give throughout the year in order for Christmas at the Park to give to Clark County.

“It’s such a great experience with the community,” she said.

“The kids love it,” said Reny Rodriguez of Vancouver, who brought her family to the party after seeing a post about the event on social media. “And the fact that they have free Santa pictures, you can’t beat that.”

Santa Claus was a big hit at the Christmas at the Park event at Esther Short Park on Friday. Photo by Paul Valencia

Oh yes, Santa Claus was, naturally, a big draw. The line to get a picture with Santa Claus was steady throughout the evening.

There were also lines at the toy drive and the tables featuring free Christmas cookies. In all, Activate had 200 volunteers to help stage the party and manage the large crowd at the park.

“We’re not here to take anything from them,” Isaac Maddox said of the partygoers. “We just want to give as much as we can.”