Good morning, Port Angeles.

Peninsula Home Fund is celebrating its 36th year with an ongoing holiday fundraising campaign that helps local residents support their neighbors.

Earlier this year, Volunteer Hospice of Clallam County used a $10,000 grant to buy essential patient equipment—further funds will allow a local food bank to offer discounted meals.

On Saturday, the Hurricane Ridge Winter Sports Education Foundation raised a record net $81K at Winterfest held at Vern Burton Community Center in Port Angeles—part of the funds will support ski patrol operations, including the purchase of a new snowmobile.

More than 350 community members attended the event and honored longtime supporters Dave and Karen Long.

On Wednesday, November 26th, the Port Angeles Corps of the Salvation Army served nearly 100 free Thanksgiving meals within 30 minutes of opening—Capt. Crystal Birks noted it was the largest turnout in three years.

Volunteers helped plate a variety of dishes including turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, yams, rolls and pies—ensuring the community enjoyed a festive meal.

Port Angeles will launch its holiday season on Saturday with a tree-lighting festival at the Conrad Dyer Memorial Fountain from noon to 7 p.m., organized by the Downtown Waterfront District & featuring live music, food vendors, and Santa arriving on a 1956 fire engine for photos.

The 35th Festival of Trees opened Tuesday outside the Vern Burton Community Center — the Port Angeles City Ballet showed the Nutcracker Ballet's history with narration and dance inside LED-lighted Christmas ornaments.

A 1991 Pierce fire engine that served Port Angeles for 34 years was moved to Guanajuato after it no longer met US federal standards.

It was sent through the HERO SAVER program and already answered its first call at an industrial accident—helping firefighters in Mexico.

Former local standout Ese Onakpoma is a senior at Arizona Christian University who is averaging 18 points after earning NAIA All-American honors and helping his team win five straight conference titles—while Lexie Mackey, Parker Nickerson and Ciera Agasiva begin strong college seasons at Southern Nazarene University, Skagit Valley College and Montana State—Northern.

Port Angeles City Ballet's The Nutcracker

2-7 p.m. — 201 W Front St, Port Angeles, WA — Ticket prices vary — Experience a delightful local adaptation of the classic holiday ballet set against the backdrop of the Civil War era.

Makers Market

11 a.m. - 5 p.m. — Port Angeles Fine Arts Center — Free entry — Explore locally-made artisan gifts while enjoying hot chocolate by the fire tables.

Santa Saturdays

12-3 p.m. — Conrad Dyar Memorial Fountain — Free entry — Experience the festive spirit at Santa Saturdays with holiday cheer at the waterfront.

Geoffrey Castle's Celtic Christmas Concert

3-4:30 p.m. — Field Arts & Events Hall — Pricing varies based on age and military status — Experience enchanting Celtic melodies with Geoffrey Castle and dance performances by The Seattle Irish Dance Company.