By PETE ORBEA
Come enjoy the seasonal magic during the annual Country Christmas weekend Dec. 13-14.
The town is fully dressed for the occasion with ornaments garland and thousands of bright white lights, and Port Gamble merchants are stocking their shelves with holiday shopping in mind.
You and your family can create your own special holiday memories at Santa’s Workshop, a hands-on, interactive craft experience ($5 per child), or join the audience for the annual Holiday Fruitcake Contest. This year in Santa’s Workshop, we are pleased to bring you Say Chesse Party Booths for pictures with Santa! Pictures with Santa will be an additional cost per child of $3 or $4 which goes to the photographer.
As darkness falls Dec. 13, you can gather around the community Christmas tree for the tree lighting and then watch the holiday fireworks celebration. Fireworks brought to you by Olympic Property Group LLC, Snuffin’s Catering, Sunshine’s All Naturals Catering, Celebrations by Amber LLC, and others.
For a full list of activities and times, visit www.portgamble.wix.com/countrychristmas.
Bringing you a world of artisans
Tango Zulu is a small, family owned business founded in Port Gamble. It specializes in fair trade African baskets, but carry a wide array of other artisan products as well, including many made locally in the Pacific Northwest. The business also provides an extensive online store with many shipping options.
Tango Zulu Imports is committed to ethical business practices, quality handmade products, and superior customer service. Since its founding in 2010 it has grown steadily and now has a small crew of dedicated employees.
In July 2014, they opened a second store in the historic Pioneer Square area of Seattle. Owners Drew and Tracy Zhu are passionate about who made the products they sell and under what conditions they were produced. Because of that, they adhere to fair trade practices when sourcing products. Fair trade principles are defined by the Fair Trade Federation. Tango Zulu is also pet friendly, which adds to a calm, personable and fun atmosphere in both store locations.
“The best sellers so far for 2014 are the felted soaps and larger African-made baskets,” Tracy said. “The baskets are always very popular, but the felted soaps have gained popularity as we get closer to the holiday season because they make great stocking stuffers.”
Along with the wide variety of clothing lines carried in store at both locations, Zhu’s top pick for her favorite product right now are the telephone wire-baskets made in South Africa.
“The wire baskets are so colorful, well made, and range from $25-$60,” Zhu said.
Zhu is excited to report that Tango Zulu Imports has been nominated for the Green America People and Planet Green Business Award for Fall 2014.
Public voting runs through Dec. 1 and the top three winners will be announced in March. Help Tango Zulu win by voting at www.greenamerica.org/green-business-people-and-planet- award/index.cfm.
The Port Gamble store ,360-297-3030, located at 32239 Rainier Ave., is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Seattle store is open Sunday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Don’t forget to subscribe to their blog at www.tangozuluimports.blogspot.com and visit the website at www.tangozuluimports.com.
Fruitcake contest
Get those fruitcakes in by Dec. 14 at 12:30 p.m. in the Hood Canal Vista Pavilion.
The Fruitcake Contest is back for another year. Participants will present their fruitcakes before a panel of distinguished judges, with the public watching. We want to hear your story.
The annual Fruitcake Contest will take place from 1-2 p.m. at the Hood Canal Vista Pavilion on Dec. 14 during Country Christmas. The pavilion will open to participants at 11:30 a.m. and the public at 12:30 p.m.; submissions must be present on location by 1 p.m. The winner will receive an engraved plaque, and other holiday and Port Gamble goodies.
Will your fruitcake take the cake? For more information: 360-297-8074
— Pete Orbea is the marketing and communications coordinator of Port Gamble. Contact him at porbea@orminc.com
