The North Pole Mailbox begins accepting letters for Santa Claus on Friday, Nov. 24, at Northwest Farm Supply, 80411 N. Highway 395, Hermiston. Also, Cookies with Santa returns Saturday, Dec. 2, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. People and their pooches can celebrate the season with cookies for children and special treats for canine kids. Bring your camera or cellphone, as Santa’s elves will assist with photo ops. For more information, search Facebook via rebrand.ly/g06zu7c or call 541-567-5650.

• • •

The Festival of Lights returns to the Eastern Oregon Trade and Event Center. It opens Friday, Nov. 24, 6-9 p.m. at 1601 E. Airport Road, Hermiston. The festival continues Thursday through Sundays until Jan. 1, 2024. The recommended donation is $5 per car, which supports the festival and the Hermiston Rotary Club.

Santa will appear 6-8 p.m. on Dec. 1 and Dec. 22. Also, other special events will be announced on Facebook via bit.ly/3gopqsj.

• • •

Also, to ensure dogs and cats have a happy holiday season, Wheatland Insurance Center Inc. is hosting a pet supply drive in conjunction with its annual food drive. Donations are accepted through Dec. 15. Nonperishable and unexpired food items can be donated at all Wheatland offices. Items will be distributed to local food banks. Also, donors will be entered into a prize drawing. Pet supplies are accepted at select locations, including 455 E. Main St., Hermiston; and 294 N. Main St., Heppner. Donations will be given to local humane societies and animal shelters. Go to Facebook via rebrand.ly/johlvss. For questions, call 541-567-8834 or 541-676-9113.

• • •

A trio of Christmas bazaars are Saturday, Nov. 25, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Hermiston. Vendors will sell their wares at Harkenrider Senior Activity Center, 255 NE Second St.; the Hermiston Community Center, 415 S. Highway 395; and Maxwell Pavilion, 145 N. First Place. For questions, call 541-667-5018 or search bit.ly/hermistonrecreation.

• • •

Bring your friends and enjoy snacks during Grown Up (and Teen!) Game Night. Participants can play various demo cards and board games. Open from 6-9 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 28 at The Next Chapter Bookstore, 1000 S. Highway 395, Suite C, Hermiston. The cost is $5 at the door. Go to bit.ly/3kEDobQ or call 541-667-7080.

• • •

Where’s the beef? It could be in your freezer — the Knights Wrestling Fundraiser features a raffle for a box of beef or pork from Eastern Oregon Mobile Slaughter. Proceeds will benefit the Irrigon wrestling program. Tickets are $5 each for a chance to win a beef box, valued at $200; or a pair of pork boxes, each valued at $75. The drawing is Dec. 7. Tickets can be purchased from wrestlers or via Messenger at rebrand.ly/uikecfv. For questions, call 541-922-5551.

• • •

The Harkenrider Senior Activity Center is closed Thursday, Nov. 23, for Thanksgiving. People are invited to enjoy the Community Fellowship Dinner, noon to 3 p.m. at Hermiston High School, 600 S. First St. The center resumes lunch Tuesday, Nov. 28 (beans with ham), noon to 12:30 p.m. at 255 NE Second St., Hermiston. For dine-in or takeout service, call 541-567-3582 by 11 a.m. Also, Meals on Wheels is available in Hermiston. Call before 10 a.m. to place a delivery order.

• • •

The Boardman Senior Center is closed on Thursday, Nov. 23. People can enjoy the Community Thanksgiving Dinner, 2-4 p.m. at the Port of Morrow, 2 E. Marine Drive. The senior center will resume dine-in and takeout lunch service at noon on Tuesday, Nov. 28. Meals are $5 for seniors and $6 for others. For takeout, call 541-481-3257.