It truly takes a community to make events successful. Four years ago, Tara Shaw had an inspiration, the Greater Bandon Association provided her with some proceeds from Alive After Five and she gathered some folks who went to work. On Saturday afternoon and evening many of our local residents and holiday visitors braved the elements to witness still another Night of 10,000 lights.

While mention has been made of the partnership between the Greater Bandon Association, the Bandon Chamber of Commerce, the City of Bandon and the Port of Bandon in making this event happen, there are so many more that contributed to still another successful event. Given the weather this year, they deserve special recognition this year for enduring.

There were those who helped plan the event from Dana Nichols to Anthony Zunino to Margaret Pounder to Tara and Kevin Shaw to Rushel Reed to Pat Sherwood to Sharron Schmidt to Jan Moore to Bob Webb and Harv Schubothe.

There could not be a Christmas Tree lighting without a tree. Moore Mill through the Bandon Chamber provided the tree. Anthony Zunino led the crews in getting it to and up in the Visitor Center lot. Jim, Kevin, Greg, and Mark from the city crew and David, Rob and Joe from Moore Mill made it happen. The City crew decorated it with lights purchased with Alive After Five proceeds.

It was the Port of Bandon that decorated the Visitor Center parking lot. We appreciate the work of Bob Shammot and the inmate crew from Shutter Creek that he supervised. All of the icicles on the Visitor Center were built by Kevin and Anthony, painted by the Port’s inmate crew and installed by Steve Pounder and Chris Partee. Tara Shaw’s parents contributed the Gingerbread people.

Greater Bandon Association Board and Chamber of Commerce Board members helped Steve and Zac Pounder and Larry Langenberg get the tents up. Chamber Board members Matt Whitmer and Kevin joined GBA members Harv and Troy Russell as did Dan Barnett who serves on both Boards. The tents and tables were delivered by Anthony. Tara Shaw led the decorating crew.

You cannot have Christmas without Santa and Mrs. Claus. Our hats are off to Mr. and Mrs. Mike Hennick Sr. Washed Ashore provide a warm spot for Santa and Mrs. Claus to greet the many children who came to see them. And then there was Gary Edmiston who happily took the wonderful photos of the kids and Santa and Mrs. Claus and then generously made them available to the families without cost.

The Nog Walk/Cider Stroll/Wine Walk prior to the Christmas Tree Lighting was hampered a bit by the elements. Many shops provided refreshments and bargains and remained open later than usual, including Art By The Sea Gallery & Studio, Bandon Card and Gift Shoppe, By The Sea Treasures, Bandon Coffee Café, Bandon Mercantile, Big Wheel, Coastal Mist, Continuum Center, Devon’s Boutique, Esscents Candles, The Laurel, Natures Imagination, The Raven Soap Shoppe, Rolling Pin Bake & Brew, Stillwagon Distillery, The Toy Room and Winter River Books.

Rushel Reed organized the kid’s scavenger hunt. The Toy Room needs to be thanked for contributing the prizes to the drawing winners.

And then there were the cookies, cider and eggnog. Sysco Corporation (and their suppliers) via Bandon Fish Market donated hundreds of cookies, that were baked off by Bandon Coffee Cafe and Coastal Mist, and eggnog. Bandon Baking donated cookies as well. FSA Foods (via Coastal Mist) donated all the cider that was given away.

With the weather, there were not many caroling volunteers. However, Dan led his “A Christmas Carol” cast playing at the Sawdust Theater through Old Town shops.

Steve took care of the barricade, delivering them, setting them up, taking them down and returning them along with the tents to Chamber storage.

Finally, there were those who worked under the tents, trying to keep everything dry, distributing the cider, cookies, glasses and scavenger hunt materials with a smile: Sharron, Pat, Terrie Loomis, Harv, Matt, Larry, Rushel, Tara, Kevin and Nicole Malloy.

New City Manager Robert Mawson took the honor of leading us in the Tree Lighting count down.

And we know in trying to construct this list, we inadvertently overlooked others who have contributed just as much. This included all who came out and participated despite the weather. In short, it took the community to make this event happen.

-THE GREATER BANDON ASSOCIATION AND BANDON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE