Holiday events all month in Mason County

Holiday events begin in earnest this weekend in downtown Shelton, Union and Belfair, and continue throughout December throughout Mason County.

Dowtown Shelton

The organization Christmastown hosts the Mason County Festival of the Firs events countywide during December.

Shelton Cinemas screens the film "How the Grinch Stole Christmas," starring Jim Carrey, at 3:45 p.m. Friday at 517 W. Franklin St. The Shelton Merchants Cookie Stroll is from 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday. The lighting of the Christmas tree is at 6 p.m. Friday at 215 W. Railroad Ave., next to the Shelton Post Office.

The Christmastown Celebration is hosted from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday in the Shelton Civic Center. The Holiday Magic Christmas Parade, hosted by Kristmastown Kiwanis and Peninsula Credit Union, begins at 5 p.m. Saturday in downtown Shelton.

Shopping with Santa is from 1 to 6 p.m. Saturday at the Mason Transit Authority Transit-Community Center at 601 W. Franklin St. Navy Band Northwest performs a holiday concert at 3 p.m. Sunday at Shelton High School, 3737 N. Shelton Springs Road.

Women of Note sing at the "Joys of the Season" concert at 3 p.m. Sunday at St. David of Wales Episcopal Church, 324 W. Cedar St., Shelton. Elizabeth Berndt is the conductor and April Kuhr the collaborative artist. Donations will be accepted.

Enjoy Christmastown wagon rides Dec. 7-10 in downtown Shelton.

The second Christmas Market is open from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dec. 9 in the Oakland Bay Junior High School gym. More than 35 vendors will sell items. The Shelton Yacht Club Lighted Boat Parade is Dec. 16-17.

The fifth yearly Christmas Tree Maze is open all month in the lot next to the Shelton Civic Center at 525 W. Cota St.

Outside Shelton

The Hood Canal Improvement Club hosts a Holiday Market from 10 a.m. to

3 p.m. Friday and Saturday at the New Community Church of Union, 951 E. Dalby Road in Union.

The event offers arts, crafts, food and a raffle. For more information, go to http://www.hoodcanalimprovementclub.org.

For its holiday production, The Harstine Island Theatre Club is bringing to life two O. Henry short stories - "The Gift of the Magi" and "The Cop and the Anthem" - at 7 p.m. Friday, and 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at the Harstine Island Community Club. Admission is free.

Simpson Railroad hosts Christmas on the Simpson Railroad from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 9, and from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dec. 10 at the former Simpson sorting yard at 10138 W. Shelton Matlock Road, about 10 miles west of downtown Shelton. Ride the train to see Santa Claus and enjoy hot chocolate by a fire. Tickets are available at simpsonrailroad.org and also are sold at the site.

The Hood Canal Improvement Club and Friends of the McReavy House host a Christmas party from 1 to 4 p.m. Dec. 10 at the McReavy House at 10 E. 2nd St. in Union. The community event includes a dessert potluck, a photo booth and caroling led by Mick and Laura McCartney. For more information, go to http://www.hoodcanalimprovementclub.org.

The Hoodsport Holiday Festival is from noon to 2:10 p.m. Dec. 16 at 24341 U.S. Highway 101 in Hoodsport.

North Mason

The annual Belfair Christmas Parade begins at 4 p.m. Sunday at the HUB Center for Seniors, 111 N.E. Old Belfair Highway.

Burger Claim and More hosts photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus from 5 to 8 p.m. Dec. 7 at 24171 NE state Route 3 in Belfair. Candy canes and hot chocolate will be served. Artists will also offer their goods for sale, including Sheds and Slabs Handcrafted Woodworks, Heather Reese Photography, Knotty Pine Apothecary, and Twilight Minerals Crystals & More.

The Grapeview Community Association hosts its annual Snacks with Santa event from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Dec. 9 at the Horton Community Center at the Mason County Fire District 3 fire hall on Grapeview Loop Road. The free event features Santa arriving on a firetruck shortly after 10 a.m. and children who are in the fourth grade or younger are invited to visit with him. Attendees can enjoy snacks, hot cocoa, juice and coffee. Everyone is invited to join in the singing of Christmas carols.

The HUB Center for Seniors hosts Pancakes with Santa from 9 to 11 a.m. Dec. 16.