Nooksack Valley Nostalgia: Christmas in Sumas...part 1 of 3

This is a great time of year to remember one of the traditions familiar to local folk,

'Christmas in Sumas'...

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The iconic Welcome to Sumas sign, turned into a holiday hello for those entering our city, driving north on State Highway 9 where it turns into Cherry street near the Sumas Rodeo Grounds.

Photo taken by Deborah Morgan, 6 December, 2014

This is a great time of year to remember one of the traditions familiar to local folk,...Christmas in Sumas! In my childhood years, growing up in the early 60's, it was a great delight to go to the Grange Hall on the SE corner of Cherry and First Streets, (the building was later converted into the Lone Jack Saloon and is now a shipping company, 'Ship Happens'), where the yearly Santa visit was a great source of excitement and fun for all of us children! I remember we would first get to sit on the floor and be entertained by cartoon movies shown with a projector. After the movies, Santa Clause himself would arrive and all the children would line up and get a paper bag of treats with assorted candies and an orange in it. What fun!

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Santa Clause at the Sumas Grange Hall.

article in the Everson News, 21 December, 1961.

posted with permission from the Charlie Patterson collection.

Today the tradition continues but has evolved. Santa Claus stills visit the children of Sumas but with the help of the Sumas Volunteer Fire Department (Whatcom Fire District #14). The Lions Club sponsors "Christmas in the Park" in which families gather at the utility building in the City Park along Johnson Creek in between Cherry Street and Sumas Street. The festivities consist of hot apple cider being served, Christmas music being played. In all types of weather (usually COLD!) the children wait with great enthusiasm for Santa Clause to arrive in the fire engine with the siren blaring! Santa then gets out of the fire engine and plugs in the cords to light up the Christmas tree to the cheer of the crowd.

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Fire engine leaving the Sumas Fire Station (on Columbia Street)

with Santa Claus headed to the City Park.

Photograph taken by Deborah Morgan, 1 December, 2014.

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Volunteer Fire Fighters Jessie Hoffman (left) and Will Morgan (right) of Whatcom Fire District 14 patiently waiting for Santa Claus as he visits the Children of Sumas.

looking SW on 3rd Street, photograph taken by Deborah Morgan, 1 December, 2014

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