While the weather’s never dependable, the December Old Town Art Walk annually brings out contributors en masse.

The summer edition of Silverdale’s Old Town Art Walk is typically the best attended, but the Christmas session still seems to bring out the masses — of volunteers and contributors.

Each year, the season of giving is typically in full swing and welcomed with open arms in Old Town. Again this year (celebrating the fifth anniversary of the event) roving carolers and Mr. Claus will make their way around the streets, while the Boy Scouts, United States Marine Corps and local musicians will add to the action.

Each gallery space, in addition to hosting local art on the evening, also typically has free belly-warming refreshments and simple ways to win prizes or lend a hand to those in need.

For example, this year at Monica’s Waterfront Bakery you can get a free cookie by bringing in a donation for the Kitsap Food Bank.

The Marine Corps will be on hand accepting donations for Toys for Tots.

Jeanette’s Old Town Flowers, per their usual, will be handing out free roses to the ladies, while other Old Town businesses will, per their usual, offer gift certificates, promotions, raffles and more.

A variety of Old Town merchants stay open late for the walk — from a local wineseller to a beadseller to a bakery and an art school, to a flower shop and a vet’s office.

‘Tis the season for giving, indeed, so why not support local business in the process?

Then, of course, there’s the art and the artists.

Silverdale’s first official artist co-op gallery — Silverdale Fine Arts — will be celebrating its first year in residence this month, featuring all nine of its artists in a miniature show. Minature in both the size of the art and the size of the price tag.

Linda’s Knit and Stitch shop will be featuring the deft colored pencil work of local master Christy Camerer while Monica’s Bakery features the work of the fall quarter art walk’s Best in Show artist — jeweler Debbie Saldivar — along with Libby Sullivan.

Ten other Old Town businesses-turned-gallery spaces for the night, will be hosting local art as well, while the Washington Academy of Music guitar ensemble will provide music on the evening along with the Kitsap Christmas Carolers, the Peace Lutheran Children’s Choir, accordionist Doreen Fox and cellist Clare Brooks.

In other news, the forecast for Dec. 13 calls for 59 degrees and partly cloudy skies.

See more at www.oldtownartwalk.com.

OLD TOWN ART WALK VENUES & ARTISTS
6-8 p.m. Dec. 12 throughout Old Town Silverdale

Grape Expectations Wine Shop: Virginia Pace

Linda’s Knit and Stitch: Christy Camerer

Monica’s Waterfront Bakery: Debra Saldivar & Libby Sullivan

Olympic Veterinary Hospital: Paul Taylor

Lisa Stirrett Glass Studio: Lisa Stirrett & Denise Mahoney

Silverdale Fine Arts Gallery: Patricia Huelle

Independent Galleries: Kitsap Arts, The Backdoor Gallery, Company of Friends, Jeanette’s Old Town Flowers, Central Kitsap School District, McGregor & Company and Old Town Custom Framing & Gallery.