FIRST FRIDAY DEC. 3rd

Baker City Downtown : First Friday
(Consult specific galleries/establishments for times)

Baker Towers, 1705 Main Street, Suite 100
Holiday Gift Shoppe: Gifts by Ann Bryan, Alyssa Henry, Jennefer Kelley, Dana Marlia, and Michelle Simonski. 5:00 – 8:00. Also Sat., Dec. 4th, 10:00–4:00 & Sun. Dec. 5th, 12:00 – 4:00

Clark & Company Home, 1924 Broadway
Threadbenders 4th Annual Two Day Show and Sale: A Celebration of Fiber Arts - demonstration of weaving and spinning and a Navajo rug raffle. Dec. 3rd, 5:00 – 8:00 pm; Saturday, Dec. 4th, 11:00 am - 4:00 pm

Crossroads Carnegie Art Center, 2020 Auburn
Crossroad’s Annual Regional Open Christmas Show, continuing through the end of December. The show will feature five art, quality crafts, tree ornaments and original handmade items specific to the holiday gift-giving season (such as wreathes and toys). This year’s theme is The Twelve Days of Christmas. A People’s choice award will be given for the work of art best representing the theme.. Opening reception 5:00. Refreshments served.

Earth & Vine, Corner of 1st and Washington
E&V will be featuring the Batik Convergence Group out of La Grande. This includes Sue Orlaske, Denise Stone, Jan Clark, and Linda Peterson. Music will be by Larry Robb and Jerry Smith.

Geiser Grand Hotel & Gift Shop, 1996 Main Street
Meet the Artist: Linda Smith, crafter extraordinaire, will showcase her work at this First Friday event. Linda raises sheep on a Century Ranch in Haines, which makes her sheepskin creations that much more special! Stop in 6-8pm. Commissions accepted on this special night.

Also, First Friday (and every Friday night throughout winter): See Historic Baker City’s beautiful homes, decorated for Christmas from a horse drawn sleigh. Stop off at a historic house on the Powder River for a festive bonfire. Enjoy S’mores, Hot Spiced Cider and more; sing along with Christmas Carols. $24, Kids under 12 $12; kids under 6 no charge. Sleigh departs 7 and 8pm at the Geiser Grand Hotel; advance reservations please.

Short Term Gallery, 1829 Main Street
Opening reception for featured artist Linda Callaway - drawings on bone.
Live music and a wonderful assortment of snacks with wine and warm cider.

O Christmas Tree

The downtown Christmas Tree we have every year is truly a “green” tree in every sense of the word. After 30 or 40 years in service to the local property owners, it is “volunteered” (donated) for the community Christmas Tree. Bringing the tree downtown is a volunteer event: Oregon Trail Electric Co-op donates lift trucks and equipment, OTEC linemen and employees donate their Saturday morning and expertise, and Chuck Carey, master wood faller, volunteers to cut the tree down. The tree is then carefully cradled unto Don Glerup’s log truck. Don gingerly drives the massive shuddering tree downtown to its spot on Court Avenue. Then the process is reversed: as the tree is suspended in the air with cables, Chuck whittles the tree’s base to fit precisely into the vertical culvert imbedded in the street. A week later, crews from Baker City help decorate the tree. The lights are not turned on until the Twilight Parade and Tree Lighting Ceremony. For several years now school children have hung peanut-butter-packed pinecones on the tree for the birds; many times I’ve walked by to hear the tree come alive with bird chatter!
After the holidays the tree is taken down by City crews and hauled to the Powder River Correctional Facility; there it is cut into firewood for the needy. Can you ask for a harder working tree, serving so many people, and helped by so many volunteers?