
The parade moved along Main Street and ended at Washougal River Road and the tree lighting took place in Reflection Plaza
The city of Washougal kicked off the holiday season with the Lighted Christmas Parade and Tree Lighting Thursday evening. For the first time in over a decade, there is a harvested tree at the center of Reflection Plaza in downtown Washougal.
“We are so appreciative to have received a donated tree this year,” commented Community Engagement Manager Rose Jewell. “It’s a wonderful time for the community to come together in Washougal’s living room. It brings out the best in people.”

The existing, living tree in the corner of the plaza used for past celebrations had limited visibility. In favor of something more accessible and festive for the public to gather around, city leaders began seeking possible donations from community members over the summer.
The seventeen-foot grand fir, donated by the Keister Family of Clark County, was cut, transported, and mounted at Reflection Plaza in mid-November. The tree and plaza is decorated with nearly 7,000 lights.

“We are thrilled that this beautiful tree we’ve enjoyed for many years will now have the honor of being Washougal’s Christmas tree,” expressed Larry Keister.
The family was planning on cutting down the tree selected in the near future due to its proximity to a nearby powerline, and they thought it would make a perfect fit for this year’s celebration. Larry Keister is a longtime commissioner at the Port of Camas-Washougal. He and his wife Sherri have been active in the community for many years.

The parade moved along Main Street and ended at Washougal River Road. The tree lighting took place in Reflection Plaza. Entertainment included performances from the Washougal High School music program. Santa and Mrs. Claus brought up the end of the parade and were available for photos with children of all ages. Event sponsors include Waste Connections, Washougal Coffee, and the Keister Family.




Also read:
- Clark College officially opens Advanced Manufacturing Center in RidgefieldClark College marked the official opening of its Advanced Manufacturing Center in Ridgefield, a new facility focused on training students for careers in advanced manufacturing.
- POLL: With updated estimates reaching as high as $17.7 billion, what should happen to the I-5 Bridge replacement project?A new poll asks readers how the I-5 Bridge replacement project should proceed amid higher cost estimates and questions about transparency within the Interstate Bridge Replacement Program.
- Letter: ‘Walz’s tough talk is a blatant attempt to deflect his complicity in the massive fraud in his state’Camas resident Anna Miller argues that a governor has no legal authority to deploy the National Guard to interfere with federal law enforcement and criticizes Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz’s public statements.
- VIDEO: Reykdal tells school districts to ‘abide by the law’ on trans athletesState Superintendent Chris Reykdal said Washington school districts must follow state law on transgender athletes as citizen initiatives and related Supreme Court cases move forward.
- County seeks community needs survey responses from residentsClark County Community Services is collecting survey responses from residents living on limited incomes to inform its required Community Needs Assessment and guide funding priorities for anti-poverty services.
- Opinion: Not a Good choiceLars Larson argues that personal choices led to a deadly confrontation with law enforcement during an ICE operation in Minneapolis.
- County Charter Review Commission to hold first two meetings in JanuaryThe Clark County Charter Review Commission will meet twice in January to begin reviewing the county’s charter and consider whether to recommend amendments for voter approval.








