Lopez Winter Gathering draws a crowd

The holiday spirit could be felt throughout the evening at first annual Lopez Island Winter Village Gathering. Friends mingled on the crowded porch of the Lopez Plaza with steaming cups of apple cider, hot cocoa and holiday cookies. Nearly everyone wore the red and white Santa Claus hats that were handed out. Not even the drizzling rain or the cold could deter the more than 150 people who attended the event.

The crowd was treated to Christmas carols by the Lopez Choir throughout the course of the evening. Often those on the Plaza deck joined the singing.

Those who attended were encouraged to bring a donation for the Lopez Food Bank.

Raffle tickets for five large gift baskets, filled with treats from many Lopez businesses were sold over the course of the event. The proceeds of the raffle tickets will go toward the Lopez Village Park maintenance fund.

Right before the Lopez Village Christmas lights were lit, Holly Brouwer, who was chosen by the Chamber of Commerce for this year’s Grand Lopez Ian Award, was introduced to the crowd. Brouwer is the owner of long-time Lopez business Holly B’s. She was bestowed with the honor of lighting the Village water tower lights because of her contributions to the community over the years.

Brouwer gave a small acceptance speech, thanking the Lopez community for their support and then headed over to the Village water tower to light it up. With a throng of onlookers lining the street, Brower turned on the lights to the oohs and ahhs of the crowd.

It is the Chamber of Commerce’s plan to continue this event in the years to come.

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