St. Helens Waterfront Lights up for the Holidays on December 8

Boats on the river tied up at docks at night decorated with Christmas lights

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

November 13, 2018

St. Helens, Ore. – On Saturday, December 8, the City of St. Helens will host its annual holiday celebrations on the St. Helens waterfront. This includes the holiday tree lighting, the annual return of the Christmas Ships Parade, and a special fireworks display in honor of all community fireworks volunteers and in memory of St. Helens resident Ed Lokken.

The holiday tree lighting will take place at 5:30 p.m. and includes an appearance by Santa and Mrs. Claus for Christmas wishes with children, live music, free hot cocoa, and the lighting of the holiday tree in the Plaza Square.

The Christmas Ships Parade launches from the City docks at 6 p.m. It will head downriver to Columbia City before returning to the St. Helens docks where the ships remain overnight before leaving on Sunday.

This year, local residents are spearheading a special fireworks tribute in honor of Ed Lokken and all the volunteers who have contributed to the annual Fourth of July fireworks show over the years. For more than 35 years, Lokken was instrumental in organizing and fundraising for the city’s annual Fourth of July fireworks show. In 2016, Lokken was recognized by the City with a Lifetime Achievement Award for his countless years of dedication to the fireworks tradition on the St. Helens waterfront. Lokken passed away in 2018.

The fireworks on December 8 will take place at 5 p.m. and be launched from the St. Helens waterfront property. The show will be a tribute to Lokken’s life and devotion to the St. Helens community and to the countless hours other volunteers have spent to continue the annual Fourth of July fireworks tradition.  

Tax deductible donations for the fireworks display are being accepted. Donations can be made to the City of St. Helens, Attn: Ed Lokken Fireworks, P.O. Box 278, St. Helens, OR 97051 or in person at St. Helens City Hall, 265 Strand Street.

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For further information regarding the holiday celebrations on the St. Helens waterfront, please contact St. Helens Communications Officer Crystal Farnsworth at 503-366-8215 or crystalf@ci.st-helens.or.us.