by Lerrina Collins

Created on: February 14, 2009   Last Updated: February 15, 2009

Klamath Falls residents welcome winter with their annual Snowflake Festival. For the past 25 years the first full week in December, a date chosen to correspond with Pearl Harbor Day, has been a time of feasting, frolicking, and fun.

CITY TREE LIGHTING: Many towns have a tree lighting tradition, however, Klamath Falls manages to up the ante on this familiar ritual. City Administration, Santa, and live Christmas carols unite to create an extra special tree lighting ceremony.

COLORING CONTEST: While many annual celebrations include little to engage the local children, the Snowflake Festival is not guilty of this oversight. Two contests focus on the younger crowd. Open to children from Kindergarten through 6th grade, the coloring contest features a picture of "Perky the Pelican". Children color their pictures and compete for ribbons and prizes.

ESSAY CONTEST: Another contest aimed exclusively at the Kindergarten through 6th grade is the essay contest. Each year competing students are given two questions which focus on the Snowflakes Festival's current theme. For example, last year the Festival's theme was "Silver Bells". Last year's questions were: What was your most memorable Christmas? What do you think Christmas was like 25 years ago?

GINGERBREAD HOUSE CONTEST: A delightful edible competition, the Gingerbread House Contest is open to children, adults, and families. Numerous categories offer something for everyone. The Gingerbread Houses remain on display throughout the week at the Ross Ragland Theater. As one might expect, all these homey creations are judged by local Realtors.

HANDBELL CONCERT: The handbell concert is the Festival's culminating event. Held on the last evening at the First Baptist Church, the locals outdo themselves in putting together an incredibly beautiful performance - truly a classic way to end a spectacular week.

OUTSTANDING TEEN PAGEANT: Local teenage girls are given not one but two opportunities to excel. In fact, during the Snowflake Festival two young women are crowned: Miss City of Sunshine and Miss Outstanding Teen. However, this is not just a beauty contest. These girls are competing for college scholarships.

The competition includes an interview, a talent contest, and a question and answer session. Furthermore the contest is only open to the girls who qualify via the application process.

PET EXPO: While previous years have included a pet expo featuring everything you ever wanted to know about pets, as of this year Snowflake Festival organizers

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