The Christmas season is finally here, which means downtown Grants Pass is decorated merry and bright! Along with this, there are festivities and traditions to participate in. In this photojournalism piece, Teagan McNamara displays pictures of the happy holiday.
By Teagan McNamara
Grants Pass is decorated every year during the Christmas season-- downtown displays lights and nutcrackers along the streets. In addition, there are Christmas festivities in town to enjoy, such as the Christmas tree lighting, which is on Friday, Dec. 2 of this year. Much is found around this time of joy: community, religion, traditions, art, nature, gifts and so much more, as expressed in the photos below. The Christmas light art of Grants Pass is created by Fiberoptic Lighting, Inc. and sponsored by Evergreen Federal Bank.
O' Christmas Tree
Created by Fiberoptic Lighting, Inc. Sponsored by Evergreen Federal Bank. Centered is an evergreen with snow, bright lights and ornaments. On the top is a yellow star that projects light. Behind is a snowy background and blue sky. This is a strong representation and symbol of Christmas.
Have a Holly Jolly Christmas
In front of the Grants Pass Pharmacy is a creation of a winter wonderland with much joy. Different colors of whites and blues are shown in the layers of snow. Animals are displayed-- like bears, a squirrel, a bird and a deer playing, singing and laughing in the snow.
A green nutcracker stands in between Lulu's for the love of food and Circle J. Red, purple, gold, black, white and blue colors make the statue stand out. This is one representation of the Christmas holiday.
White Christmas
A polar bear in a Santa hat, the moon, stars and a Christmas tree. Snow and ice all around the North Pole. The ice seems to go on forever in the background. There are slight stripes of light known as the Northern lights. The polar bear is in the company of a hawk, bunny, squirrel and reindeer on a starry and cold night.
Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire
A cozy feeling is brought with this art piece. A warm fireplace including a wreath above. Warm colors like red and orange. Decorations like holly, bows and bells. Candles are on the mantel, as well as a stocking filled with candy and toys. Below is a dog sitting on a rug, getting into a stocking. Most important are the chestnuts on a blue plate by the fireplace.
Inside many of the small businesses and shops in downtown Grants Pass, windows are decorated for the season. Here, from Gallop 'n Glitz on 6th street, there is a small red and white carousel horse with gold details. A false white tree that is completely bare, has tiny lights and large red and gold snowflakes. Also, a festive backdrop with a holly vine is featured.
A decorative poinsettia tree glows inside of Sandi's Candies. The gleaming leaves dangle from the branches in front of the Blind Georges popcorn sign. Poinsettias are known as a symbolic Christmas and winter flower.
Colorful lights line the side of this white building. As people decorate their homes, not only red and green are used to decorate for the holiday.
A bold and red Don's Bikes sign stands out amongst the brick wall. The two lights on each side of the window have a bow, bell and a low red hue.
This is a better look of the snowflakes that brighten the sidewalks and streets nearby. While there are winter decorations up, some trees have not yet lost all their leaves. This represents the changing of the season. Just like the yellow leaves attached to the branches, every snowflake is a little different.
Notice when looking up at this tree the glowing lights around the trunk and the detail of the bark and moss. The vibrant, blue sky turns darker as the sun sets. Almost all of the leaves have fallen off this tree.
In His Timeframe shop is between a red and blue nutcracker along G street. Both stand tall in uniform with cheerful smiles. Nutcrackers are symbols of ballet in the 19th century, which explains the style of uniform and hair. Make sure to go watch the Nutcracker at the Performing Arts Center in Grants Pass. The first showing is Saturday, Dec. 10, 2022.
The Twelve Days of Christmas
For each day, there are different ornaments and window panels. A symbol of one day of Christmas is in the middle, starting with a partridge in a pear tree and ending with twelve drummers drumming. Looking through the window, there is a snowy landscape. Below, a cat lays down with a red yarn ball in its paws.
Silver Bells
A town of people walking about, along with sleds pulled by horses. There are colorful, sparkling trees surrounding the shops. Every window is lit up. A sunset fades as the stars appear from the sky. Two large bells ring out a tune.
Here is a view of G street. The buildings bring a shine from the windows to the street. Bright snowflake street lights gleam. A dark blue sky settles in the background and temperatures lower as the night falls.
String lights are wrapped around trees throughout downtown. Many small, twinkling lights illuminate the streets giving a welcome.
Big red ribbons, bells and evergreen bits are attached to lights outside to show the holiday spirit.
