DAYTON–The air was brisk and the lights were bright as this community made the best of its annual Christmas celebrations with a BELIEVE Christmas Cruise in, through and around Dayton last Friday, November 27.

Some 15 vehicles, including Columbia County Transportation and Columbia County Fire District No. 3 rolling stock, were involved, according to Chamber Manager Molly Weatherill-Tate.

"The nice thing about it," Weatherill-Tate observed, "is that it got to go around to various neighborhoods where there were a lot of people out cheering people on; people who may not have gone downtown."

The event featured numerous vehicles bedecked with twinkly holiday lighting and accoutrements, but there was a noticeable lack of brightly lighted floats, Weatherill-Tate said.

The Chamber of Commerce has adapted its traditional Christmas Kick Off due to the coronavirus pandemic, forgoing the busy Friday-after-Thanksgiving activities and doing what it can to keep the community infused with the "Believe" spirit.

In a similar move, the Columbia County Public Transportation "Tour of Lights" won't happen this year.

"In an attempt to follow CDC guidelines and to make sure that we can continue to provide our essential services to the Dayton community for as long as possible without the risk of being shut down due to COVID infection," said General Manager David Ocampo, "it is with a heavy heart that I inform you, Columbia County Public Transportation will not be participating in our traditional Tour of Lights this year."

The Tour of Lights showcased holiday cheer and creativity on display in the community by providing transportation for display sightseers to observe and vote on their top three displays.

Ocampo hopes the program will return in 2021.

-Chronicle photo

The 2020 Community Christmas Tree is up and decorated in the Elk Drug parking area, and it twinkles brightly in the evening hours, festooned with bright red bows and hand-made ornaments from students at Dayton Elementary School. The tree was contributed by Bill Warren and decorated thanks to Doug Hinds of Pacific Power. Bette Lou Crothers has added some bling-"special touches of sparkle" and the red bows were donated by Dingle's of Dayton.

In spite of the virus, numerous residences and businesses are festively decorated for the holidays. In Caboose Park, the retired Union Pacific rail car is lighted for the public's enjoyment, thanks to volunteers Maura Trainor, Kari Dingman and Lara Francesco.

Next to the caboose is a photo board for residents and visitors to commemorate their 2020 Christmas with a snowman and snowwoman picture.

Another traditional Kick Off event-The Ugly Sweater Dash-is on, according to the sponsoring Backroads Club. The Dash will be virtual-sort of-as runners bedecked in their ugliest Christmas sweater run the route solo and snap a selfie while on Main Street and post it to the Backroads Club's Facebook page. Registration is $5, payable at Dingles of Dayton, 179 E. Main. Participant names will be eligible for a prize drawing.

On December 19, there will be fireworks, thanks to sponsor Pacific Power, according to Weatherill-Tate. They will be launched from the usual location so any vantage point along Main Street looking to the east will be good.