A look back at Kingston Cove Christmas

KINGSTON — A festive spirit engulfed the Port of Kingston, complete with crackling fires, warm drinks, food, dancing and, of course, Father Christmas himself.

Kingston Cove Christmas drew a healthy crowd to Mike Wallace Park on Dec. 2. The park was abuzz with festive cheer as hundreds of bundled-up and waterproofed visitors prepared to welcome the holidays despite the constant rain.

It all began with a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new Port of Kingston offices. Port Commissioner Mary McClure cut the ribbon and did so with haste in order to open the office doors to provide shelter from the weather.

Inside the new office, champagne was distributed and Port Manager Jim Pivarnik took a moment to marvel at the speed with which the new offices went up.

“Eight months ago, we were all sitting upstairs in a very small office saying, ‘How are we going to accommodate our customers and our staff?’” Pivarnik said. “We elicited an architect who came up with plans, we got it through the county in amazing time — 30 days.

“The amazing thing is from sitting upstairs drinking coffee, saying, ‘How do we do this?’ and eight months later to the day, having the new building. For government, that’s light speed. My staff is incredible. They helped every step of the way.”

Outside, visitors made their way to nearby tents to warm up with a cup of hot cocoa, or over to the “Holiday Spirits Garden” for something a bit stronger. Despite the promise of a reprieve from the rain, the fire pits proved to be a crowd favorite for the duration of the event.

Jeanine Oswald, Jamie Oswald and Marianne Oyler brought their little ones along to enjoy the festivities. Keeping warm by one of the three fire pits were Mallory, 6; Matthew, 4; Kinsley, 4, and in a stroller, 18-month-old Olivia. None of them seemed to mind the rain in the least.

When asked what she was looking forward to the most, Mallory Oswald said, “Seeing the Christmas lights, and then the music. We were dancing to the music earlier, when it was a little brighter.”

Jeanine Oswald said the weather wasn’t anything new for the occasion. “We’ve come out to the Christmas tree lights probably three years now. It’s worth it, they’re beautiful. People need to not care what the weather is, just come and enjoy it.”

On stage, the Kingston High School Jazz Band played Christmas classics like “Let it Snow” to the crowd huddled under the three tents in front of the stage. Danny Vernon, clad in full Elvis Presley regalia, treated the audience to some of the King’s holiday repertoire.

With night having nearly fallen, Mike Wallace Park became packed with visitors waiting to see the waterfront erupt into a jubilee of sparkling, holiday spirit. Kids and grown-ups danced by the stage in the rain as a fire truck made its way toward the park, lights flashing. Inside the truck sat the big man himself, Santa Claus, on his way to turn the lights on at the park and kick off the Christmas season.

Stepping from the truck, St. Nick was quickly swarmed by bright-eyed kids and smiling parents. After giving the audience a jolly Christmas tidings, Santa then led the park in a countdown.

With a unanimous “Zero!” from the crowd, the park burst into light. Bushes and trees came to life with hundreds upon hundreds of glittering lights. Christmas presents shined beneath the big tree in the park, walking paths were illuminated which passed by sailboats made entirely of lights and a sea serpent winding its way across the lawn.

Down on the dock, illuminated boats shined. This year’s winner of the Kingston Cove Yacht Club boat-decorating contest was Joseph Charnes and his boat, Aurora, which sported an enormous Star of David from the mast. Tom Pickens’ boat Lulu II was also selected as one of the most beautiful on the water as well, with an illuminated inflatable reindeer on top of the cabin and bow. Pickens referred to his vessel as “Rudolph the red-nosed tugboat.”

Robin Lott won the yacht club’s chili cook-off. “I just throw in whatever I happen to have,” Lott said of her recipe.

Beef and turkey sausage, kidney and chili beans, chipotle salsa, chili peppers, jalapeños and “tons” of chili seasoning made it into Lott’s award winning recipe this year. “It’s one of those things where you keep tasting until you like the taste,” she said.

Back in the park, families wandered the walkways marveling at the lights and sculptures, all relishing with seemingly equal joy the arrival of the holiday season in Kingston.

— Nick Twietmeyer is a reporter for Kitsap News Group. Contact him at ntwietmeyer@soundpublishing.com.