PORT GAMBLE — Red and green decorations weren’t limited to light posts and store windows during Port Gamble’s ninth annual Country Christmas festival Saturday and Sunday. Fireworks in the popular seasonal colors burst over the town Saturday night during a rare but well-received display celebrating the holidays.

“The fireworks were a big hit,” said event organizer Julie McAfee. “People really enjoyed them.”

Earlier in the day, lights glittered and horses pulling wagons whinnied as residents strolled through the old mill town, soaking in the special feeling in the air this time of year. For those with a sweet tooth, the celebration wasn’t to be missed, with gingerbread houses being created in the basement of St. Paul’s Church and a fruitcake competition baking up for residents who like to get a little nutty.

“No, I’ve always wanted to,” said 5-year-old Jaclyn Davis of building a gingerbread house. She was at work on her first one Saturday afternoon.

Carefully applying another coat of frosting, Davis showed no desire to indulge in the marshmallows and gumdrops.

The same couldn’t be said for her brother, 2-year-old Aaron Davis.

“This is really a cool idea, using milk cartons to build the house on,” said their mother, Debbie Davis. “That way, there’s something solid under their structure. We really are having a great time so far.”

The fruitcake competition, which shrank to just three entries last year, didn’t disappoint this year with 10 entries, and 13 fruitcakes for the judges to nibble on.

“The judges had a lot of fun, and all of them expressed interest in coming back to judge next year,” McAfee said. Mark Smith of Bremerton won first prize with his holiday creation, with Mary Horne of Kingston coming in second.

The Country Christmas boasted not only sweets, but gift ideas as well for shoppers still working on their holiday deadline.

“It’s going great,” said vendor Pam Henrich. “We’ve had gentlemen and ladies buying things for friends and family. Everybody of all ages has been coming through.”

Henrich said as soon as her replacement arrived, she planned to take care of her remaining Christmas shopping.

“Oh, it’s wonderful,” said Port Gamble resident Barb Waggoner. “There’s lots of unique items around. I’ve found a few special things for people to use as stocking stuffers and that kind of thing. It’s just wonderful here.”

The two day event also featured visits from Kris Kringle, both at The Dauntless Bookstore and on haywagons, where Santa led visitors in Christmas carols.

“We’ve had a few kids so far,” said Amy Cooper, from Hudsen Photography, who was taking pictures of children with Santa Claus. “There haven’t been any screamers yet, and all the gift ideas have been really excellent, good ideas.”

Cooper added there weren’t any surprises for parents as far as hearing what their kids are looking forward to under the tree this year.

“Everyone was pretty much on the same page,” Cooper said.