Christmas Crawl illuminates the holiday spirit in Klamath Falls
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Hundreds of vehicles crawled through Klamath Falls with free Dutch Bros hot cocoa in hand Thursday night to kick off the “Let it Glow, Holiday Lighting Competition.” Shown here is a home decked out at 6517 Hillyard Ave. (Image: Brian Gailey, Klamath Falls News)
The City of Klamath Falls Christmas Tree shines bright in the Klamath Commons Park in front of the Elk Apartments in Downtown Klamath Falls. (Image: Brian Gailey, Klamath Falls News)
KLAMATH FALLS, Ore. - Throughout town, homes and businesses are decorated in the grand spirit of the holidays with bright and shiny lights, beautiful displays, and even some locations choreographed to music. The Klamath County Chamber of Commerce awestruck by the beauty of the displays organized last night’s Dutch Christmas Crawl to kick off the Let it Glow, Holiday Lighting Competition.
“Last night was the kickoff to our Let it Glow contest,” said Heather Tramp, Executive Director of the Klamath County Chamber of Commerce. “Dutch Bros gave away free hot cocoa’s to encourage families to get out, drive around, and look at Christmas Lights.”
“It is kind of a substitute for our beloved Snowflake Parade,” added Tramp.
Announced in November, the Klamath County Chamber of Commerce launched the Let it Glow Holiday Lighting Competition, allowing anyone to enter the cash prize competition and show off their inner Clark Griswold. $500 in cash and a year of bragging rights is up for grabs for having the best holiday light display in the Klamath Basin.
85 homes have registered to be a part of the competition.
Voting for the Let it Glow competition began last night during the 1st Annual Dutch Christmas Crawl sponsored by Dutch Bros of Klamath Falls. In total, a list of nearly 200 locations was available for the crawl - including the 85 registered in the light contest.
Raelynn Murray speaks with a guest in the Dutch Bros drive up about free hot cocoa and the Christmas Crawl. (Image: Brian Gailey, Klamath Falls News)
Dutch Bros took it a step further and sweetened the event by giving away free hot chocolate to anyone visiting the Klamath Falls coffee stands to get a map of the light displays. Dutch employees made the drinks as Chamber employees and board members handed out maps and candy canes.
“2020 has been a crazy year, it has been hard on a lot of people,” said Raelynn Murray, Shift Leader, Washburn Dutch Bros. “Dutch has been a place for hope, and a place that people can come visit to be happy. With the cancelation of the Snowflake Parade, we are delighted to help provide something for families to do safely together and still have the Christmas spirit.”
“This is all about giving back to the community,” said Lexy McWillie, a Barista for Dutch Bros. “It is great to see everyone come out spend some time with their families and not worrying about masks or restrictions. They are getting some hot chocolate, listen to music and see some wonderful lights.”
Tramp estimates that 700 maps were passed out at the coffee stands between 7:00 PM - 10:00 PM Thursday night.
“Our community has really risen to the challenge and wanted to boost people's spirits,” said Tramp. “There are lots of houses out there with music, bright lights, and inflatables, people have gone all out.”
“I just wanted to thank Dutch Bros for stepping up and providing the free cocoa. I also want to thank Pacific Power and Winema Electric, as they are the reason we are able to give away cash prizes to the winners,” said Tramp.
Tramp also thanks Lacee Valentine for putting together the interactive map.
3706 Hope Street (Image: Brian Gailey, Klamath Falls News)
Christmas Crawl Map
Below is an interactive map showcasing nearly 200 homes added to the 2020 Dutch Christmas Crawl. Download this interactive map to your mobile device at http://Bit.ly/kfallslights and use it to find your way from display to display.
If you missed the crawl on Thursday night, do not worry. Many of the homes will have their lights on all month long for the community to enjoy. Simply use this map on your own adventure this December.
Official Let it Glow Entries
Below are the 85 homes are officially included in the 2020 Let it Glow contest. Several categories are available for cash prizes including Peoples Choice. To vote for people’s choice, text the corresponding number to 504-384-2725. The address with the most votes will be declared the winner.
Click here to download a copy of the entries.
Prizes and categories of the Chambers Let it Glow contest include:
Best in Show, $100
Winner will be chosen by Commissioner Kelley Minty Morris.Clark Griswold (most lights), $100
Voted on by sponsors and Chamber board.People’s Choice, $100
Voted via text messaging the corresponding number to 504-384-2725.Best Biz Display, $200
Voted on by Mayor Carol Westfall.
Winners will be announced by the Klamath County Chamber of Commerce on December 30.
Full rules on the Let it Glow contest can be read at https://klamath.org/event/let-it-go-klamath-county-holiday-decorating-competition/
Additional Photos from the Crawl
Editors Note - Brian Gailey, KFN Publisher and author of this article, is a Board Director of the Klamath County Chamber of Commerce.