Update: Kids and parents alike enjoyed a hay ride down Ballard Ave. Saturday night, singing Christmas carols in the rain. It was all part of the Holidays in Ballard campaign to bring more shoppers to the neighborhood’s retail core.
We put together a little video below.
Volunteers also placed hundreds of luminaries in Old Ballard, Bergen Place and down Market St., glimmering with a holiday glow (the steady rain took its toll on some of the candles as the night went on.) Kids enjoyed treats from many participating businesses, and Java Bean offered free cider, coffee and candy canes. “It seemed like there was a fair amount of people roaming around and shopping, which is great to see,” said a Ballard mom in comments. “I hope this becomes a new Ballard tradition.”
Earlier: It’s the last weekend before Christmas, and this afternoon volunteers will begin lining Central Ballard streets with one thousand luminaries. It’s all part of Holidays in Ballard’s weekend event, which runs from 4 to 8 p.m. tonight — complete with hay rides and treats for the kids. “We’ll start putting together the luminaries at 1 p.m. in Bergen Place,” said Tiffany Gabrel, owner of Mon Petit Shoe and a Holidays in Ballard organizer. “It will be a fun neighborhood work party, and hopefully the start of an annual tradition. Anyone is welcome to come help us light up Ballard. The more the merrier!”
We’ll be there snapping photos, and we’ll post an update later tonight.