Lucia Bride stokes the holiday fire

Published 6:00 pm Wednesday, December 6, 2006

POULSBO — After a week of harsh winter weather, Mother Nature finally cooperated, giving Saturday’s Julefest nearly perfect conditions.

Remnants of snow and ice remained on the ground at Waterfront Park as hundreds of people eagerly awaited the arrival of the Lucia Bride.

“Everything is just about perfect,” said Sons of Norway youth director Joann Graves, who helped coordinate the event.

Even with ongoing park and bulkhead improvements being completed by Fischer General Contracting of Poulsbo, there was plenty of room for people to roam and enjoy the event, Graves said.

“So far, so good. Everything, is going very well,” she said. “Even the weather has cooperated.”

Past Julefests have had their fair share of rain, sleet, snow and freezing temperatures, so Saturday’s clear skies came as a relief after the recent rash of winter weather, she said.

“It feels like Christmas is here,” she said as the crowds made their way across the straw-covered ground at the park’s entrance.

As darkness settled in, Graves said the only remaining obstacle was the arrival of the Lucia Bride and her torchlight procession to ignite the bonfire.

Instead of walking along the shoreline or arriving by boat, this year’s bride Clair Marlow was escorted by the Sons of Norway Vikings through Anderson Parkway to Kvelstad Pavilion and then to the park’s fire pit.

“Everything has worked out just fine,” Graves said as the bride and her princesses Elisabeth Doornick and Natalie Fields — arrived.

Marlow, Doornick and Fields weren’t the only honored guests taking in the holiday festivities as Miss Poulsbo 2006 Brenna Gardner-Brown was among those waiting for the Lucia Bride to make her appearance.

“I love it. Christmas is my favorite time of year,” Gardner-Brown said with a childlike smile.

The annual event brings out the true spirit of the holidays, even though there was a slight nip in the air Saturday, she said.

“Everyone is so happy and full of cheer,” Gardner-Brown said.

As Mayor Kathryn Quade took in the festivities, she was quick to credit both city crews and Fischer General Contracting workers for preparing the park for the event.

“They did a wonderful job in getting ready. I think we are indeed blessed to have people like that,” Quade said.

City officials had promised to have Waterfront Park ready for the event when the improvement project began, and seeing the crowds pour into the park was a clear sign the promise had been kept, Quade said.

Once the Lucia Bride arrived and the bonfire was lit, the festivities were far from being over as Sons of Norway Viking Brian Davis had one last introduction to make.

With a fire engine sounding its siren and honking its horn, Davis announced, “Here comes the man with the magic Mastercard, that jolly, old elf, it’s Santa Claus.”