With a global pandemic playing the role of Grinch this year, Port Townsend had to figure out a way to safely celebrate the arrival of the holiday season.

And on Saturday, it did just that.

Port Townsend’s holiday tree-lighting ceremony at Haller Fountain was a bit different this year. With health officials urging residents to keep their distance and avoid large gatherings, the elves at the Port Townsend Main Street Program were left to craft a plan that would allow people to get into the festive spirit while also keeping their distance. As is often seen in days of late, by leveraging live-video streaming services, the Port Townsend Main Street Program was able to broadcast the ceremony right to viewers at home.   

The event, which usually sees 500 to 700 people flocking to the Haller Fountain on Washington Street, was streamed through Facebook Live with Denise Winter serving as emcee.

Winter is no stranger to performances herself, as the artistic director for Key City Public Theater, and she was well-suited to warm up the online crowd for an appearance from a very special guest.

Stepping out from the wings, Santa waved to anyone watching on Facebook and to a handful of masked die-hards that just couldn’t resist coming out to the event in person.

With a bellowing “Ho-ho-ho,” he first pointed upward to the old bell tower which sprang to life in festive color. With the help of those watching, Santa counted down from five and then pulled a massive candy cane lever. The 16-foot-tall Christmas tree next to the fountain burst into twinkling light. And just like that, the holidays had come to Port Townsend.     

“It’s a different year,  but I think it looks as beautiful as it’s ever looked,” said Mari Mullen, executive director of the Port Townsend Main Street Program.

“We were still festive, I think people probably would love to have the caroling, but that was just something we couldn’t this year,” she said. “So we just asked people to put on their Christmas music at home and turn it up and tune in.”

Eryn Smith, a coordinator for the Main Street Program, said that despite a lack of familiarity with live-streaming, things went off without a hitch.

“I’ve never done Facebook Live before, so that was a whole new experience,” Smith said. “But that turned out to be pretty easy.”

Those who missed the live event can still watch a recording of the tree-lighting ceremony at www.facebook.com/porttownsendmainstreet. 

Kids who want the chance to give Santa their holiday wishes directly can schedule a time slot to Zoom with Santa Dec. 19 by registering through the Key City Public Theater at keycitypublictheatre.org/zoomwithsanta/.

Despite the pandemic, Santa Claus said it’s still business as usual this year.

Just as in countless years past, Santa said he will be making the rounds to each and every home, delivering gifts to all the good girls and boys, but he still urged caution this holiday season.

“Let’s just keep everything safe for the kids,” Santa said. “Keep smiling, keep believing, everything will work out.”

The big man also said children’s wish lists this year had some longtime favorites such as remote-controlled cars and Barbie dolls, but these days he said many children are asking for something else.

“Health for their parents,” he said. “The majority of them are hoping and wishing for that.”