Welcome to the Seaside Signal as we turn the corner into the holiday season. 

For the calendar

Events kick off this weekend, with the Artisan Fair at the Seaside Civic and Convention Center, from Nov. 25 and Nov. 26, with more than 50 vendors. The same weekend, Seaside Museum brings its holiday tea at the Butterfield Cottage, where guests enjoy an English-style tea in the home, which was built by a prominent Seaside jeweler in 1883.

The Parade of Lights takes place Friday at 7 p.m. at 615 Broadway, with prizes for best vehicles and walking groups. The community tree lighting follows. Santa Claus will be present there for photos on Friday and Saturday.

For more details, find it here.

Hood to Coast

We’ve seen the pendulum swing in public attitudes toward Hood to Coast. Five years ago, after complaints from residents and businesses, the city considered dropping the relay as a destination.

This year, the city embraced “The “Mother of All Relays” with a new five-year contract.

On. Nov. 14, the Seaside City Council approved a new contract with the Hood to Coast organization and Foote Sports Productions, Inc.

The 200-mile relay, described by organizers as the largest running and walking race in the world, begins at Mount Hood and ends in Seaside, bringing thousands of visitors nationally and internationally.

Race organizers presented a check to the city for more than $30,000 as well as reimbursing the city for police, fire and public works costs associated with the event.

Read more here.

Infant, toddler care

With the help of substantial grant funding, the Sunset Empire Park and Recreation District expanded its youth services in October, allowing them to now care for infants and toddlers, along with school-aged children.

The new infant and toddler program, which started Oct. 17, is in its pilot year. The district plans to reassess the feasibility of the program next year and potentially expand it for the 2023-24 school year, according to Justin Smith, the director of programs.

During this first year, the district is able to serve four infants and five toddlers, Katherine Lacaze writes.

There’s an evident need in the community — the district already has a waitlist — and it allows Sunset Empire to cultivate continuity and feed into its services for older children.

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