Christmas at the End of the Road, Winthrop’s holiday event, runs from Nov. 28 to Dec. 8.
     The event, organized by the Winthrop Chamber of Commerce, features Christmas lighting, photos with Santa, storytelling, hot air balloon glow, fireworks and a Christmas show.
     Christmas at the End of the Road features activities geared toward kids of all ages, say organizers.
     “Everyone is invited to shop locally and to enter the Winthrop Chamber of Commerce drawing for gift certificates totaling $1,000,” according to the chamber announcement.
     Many merchants will be open until 7 p.m. Nov. 28-29.
     Friday, Nov. 28, brings Christmas music in town, and Amy and Brian Sweet of Trail’s End Bookstore invite children to a storytelling hour starting at 2 p.m.
     At 3 p.m., merchants will decorate the town hall Christmas tree, donated by John and Sharon Newcom of The Valley Hub. The tree will be decked with ornaments by the kindergarten classes of Kristy Caeser and Joyce Daniels.
     At 5 p.m., as the sky darkens, Kurt and Melinda Oakley of Morning Glory Balloon Tours will bring brighten Winthrop with an inflated hot air balloon, the announcement continued.
     At noon Saturday, Nov. 29, festivities start with coloring and art for children and their parents at the old toy store by the Tenderfoot. Donations by the Tenderfoot, Daily Business and Mark and Ellie Anderson provide an opportunity for warmth from noon until 4:30 p.m., say chamber officials.
     Also around noon, Winthrop Red Apple Market will begin serving brats, steak sandwiches and hot cider downtown. Some eateries in town will serve special food items and some merchants will have free raffles, goodies, an art walk, a wine release, a college football party, fireworks radio simulcast and so on, the announcement continued.
     Early Winters Outfitting will provide hay rides along Riverside Avenue from 1-4 p.m. Saturday.
     Santa arrives in town with his elves at 2 p.m., and will go to town hall to sit for photos with kids. Winthrop Kiwanis Club, with help from the Liberty Bell High School Key Club, will take photos.
     American Legion Auxiliary members will serve hot chocolate and cookies while families wait for their photos. Santa will be in town until 5 p.m.
     Members of the Cascadia Chorale will carol in town from 3:30-5 p.m. Methow Valley Snowmobile Association will provide warming barrels throughout town, according to the announcement.
     At 5 p.m. Granny Winthrop and her cowboy escort will lead the town lighting ceremony. From 5-6:30 p.m. a chili supper will be offered at the Winthrop Barn for $6 per person. At 6 p.m. Winthrop ‘49er Days queen Jennie Stahl will set off the Winthrop fireworks display.
     Chamber president Doug Mohre, Sheri’s Sweet Shoppe, said the fireworks company, which just celebrated its 60th anniversary, has lined up a spectacular show using many “dazzling fireworks” from its anniversary package.
     The show is sponsored by Winthrop Red Apple Market.
     The Cowboy Christmas Show, hosted by Lauralee Northcott of Horse Crazy Cowgirl Band, begins at 7 p.m. in the barn.
     “It is a community-based, child-friendly show featuring Rob Thran, Chris Garner and Ben Gilmore, Buzz Brose and Egon Steinbach, Gudron Brunot and kids from near and far, say organizers.
     Event sponsors include Arrowleaf Bistro, KOZI Radio, Pine-Near RV Park, Sheri’s Sweet Shoppe, The Valley Hub, Winthrop Inn and River Run Inn. Town clerk Michelle Gaines is providing decorations and help with Santa’s visit.
     More information is available at 1 (888) 4-METHOW or www.winthropwashington.com.