College Place staff preview Halloween and Winterfest plans; city joins national 250th partnership
October 06, 2025 | College Place, Walla Walla County, Washington
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City staff updated the commission on community events, including an expanded Halloween trunk-or-treat, a reimagined Winterfest and the city's partnership in national events marking the United States' 250th anniversary.
Ms. Garcia, a city staff member, said College Place is an official partner for the nation's 250th anniversary and described possible local activities tied to that observance, such as displaying regional artifacts and coordinating with Fort Walla Walla or local museums for free-admission elements. “They recognize that 250 years ago, these lands were still occupied by indigenous people,” Garcia said, describing the national committee's guidance to incorporate local history into events.
Garcia also previewed Halloween plans: as of the report she said 14 businesses had signed up and staff planned a pumpkin-carving or -painting competition open to families, a small maze hosted by the fire department, two food vendors, one hot-drink vendor and a photo booth. She said the event is planning to provide about 2,000 pieces of candy and estimated planning for roughly 2,000 children.
On Winterfest, staff said the city will not hold fireworks and instead will invest in vendor and activity programming. Garcia said staff are partnering with the College Place cheerleading squad on interactive crafts, cookie decorating and photo opportunities, and that the department is shifting funds previously used for fireworks to those activities and to expand vendor offerings.
The commission did not take formal action on the staff reports but received the updates.
Ms. Garcia, a city staff member, said College Place is an official partner for the nation's 250th anniversary and described possible local activities tied to that observance, such as displaying regional artifacts and coordinating with Fort Walla Walla or local museums for free-admission elements. “They recognize that 250 years ago, these lands were still occupied by indigenous people,” Garcia said, describing the national committee's guidance to incorporate local history into events.
Garcia also previewed Halloween plans: as of the report she said 14 businesses had signed up and staff planned a pumpkin-carving or -painting competition open to families, a small maze hosted by the fire department, two food vendors, one hot-drink vendor and a photo booth. She said the event is planning to provide about 2,000 pieces of candy and estimated planning for roughly 2,000 children.
On Winterfest, staff said the city will not hold fireworks and instead will invest in vendor and activity programming. Garcia said staff are partnering with the College Place cheerleading squad on interactive crafts, cookie decorating and photo opportunities, and that the department is shifting funds previously used for fireworks to those activities and to expand vendor offerings.
The commission did not take formal action on the staff reports but received the updates.
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