ARLINGTON — “Yes, it’s raining during our Hometown Holidays,” Lifeway Foursquare Church Pastor Chad Blood told the hundreds who gathered in Legion Park for the ceremonial lighting of Arlington’s Christmas tree Dec. 6. “Get used to it. It’s the Pacific Northwest.”

City Recreation Manager Sarah Lopez acknowledged that the noon Santa Parade just prior to the tree-lighting was slightly shorter, likely due to the forecasts of rain that day.

“A few folks might have bagged, but a lot of people still showed up,” Lopez said. “It’s a great kickoff to the holiday season. My mom and dad were in the parade for the first time this year, and my mom said it was the best part of her week.”

Blood not only helped Mayor Barbara Tolbert and Santa count down to the tree-lighting, but he also presided over this year’s festive sweater contest. In a crowd vote that was measured by applause, his daughter, Milani, tied with Blaine Whitcomb for the title of prettiest sweater. Kylee Waxman’s sweater was deemed ugliest. Reni Cochran, the only adult in the contest, was awarded the title of “still pretty ugly” for her Seahawks sweater.

As Mark Winterhalter’s draft horses gave attendees the same covered wagon ride that Santa had received in the parade, Santa himself settled down in the Legion Park gazebo to ask a line of kids stretching round the block what they wanted for Christmas.

“Ella wants an art box, and William … well, we’re still deciphering his language,” laughed Amy Jo Irwin, their mother. “I’m just looking forward to time with my family.”

While 6-year-old Colt Pater’s wish list was mostly high tech, with items such as an iPad and a Nintendo DS, he also asked for a Nerf gun. Likewise siblings Case and Lilly Williams’ tastes bridged traditional and modern tastes, since she wants an easy-bake oven, and he’s hoping for Minecraft.

“This community is still going strong as we head into the end of the year,” Lopez said. “After we lit the tree, we had to relight it, because the rain