There is a town in Germany named Coburg and I am sure they have a platz and Christmas fair of some sort as the Germans are known for having very delightful holiday fairs.
We were driving on Highway 5 through Oregon on our way to Redding California for an errand (long story). I spotted a sign saying “Coburg, a National Historic Site”. I was intrigued. Many towns have a “Historic Center” but this is different. I surfed the internet and found out that there are over 40 buildings in Coburg which have been around since the late 1800’s and after a big fire, re-built in the early 1900’s. The town has made great efforts to preserve the old houses, and even controlled the growth around them such that the new construction does not detract from the historical core.
I learned about the second Saturday in December being Christmas in Coburg so I told my spouse that we would be going on a little overnight trip.
We stayed in a hotel in Springfield. Nothing exciting, a Marriott property where I get perks. It was the nearest one to Coburg, just 5 miles south. I didn’t see any “inns” or bed and breakfast places in old town Coburg while we walked around.
It was raining as we drove south from the Portland area. It’s about a 2 hour drive. There was a glimmer of blue skies as we got closer to Coburg and the rain lightened up as we pulled into town.
We headed first to the Crafts Fair held at a community hall owned by the IOOF – International Order of Odd Fellows. If you have time, look it up. Its … something that still exists but is probably on the wane. I can’t be sure but given how people don’t live in one community for their whole lives anymore, it’s harder and harder for such organizations to grow and thrive.
It was a small fair with maybe 10 vendors, all women. Jewelry, pottery, holiday ornaments…baked goods, nothing new or necessary to have and want.
We went to lunch after about 20 minutes of examining the wares, and enjoyed our sandwiches at the Brave Bull Pub.
After lunch, we visited the various antique shops and household goods shops along “Main Street” which is North Willamette Street. There were many tempting items but I reined myself with the yard decorations which might give my front lawn a certain whiskey tango look. Also, the items would not fit in my little car. Have to bring the truck next time.
There was a “Chili Feed”. I was not sure what that was about but it started at 5pm and would be at the Grange. Since we had exhausted the retail therapy experiences, we decided to go check into the hotel, rest a little before going back for the chili feed and the evening events. At 6pm is Christmas tree lighting and caroling. At 7pm is the Light Parade. We had no idea how long the parade would be so we decided that it would be worthwhile checking out the chili feed as it would be an interim snack till dinner if we decided we needed more food.
We arrived at the Grange at about 5:05pm and there were some people already sitting down and eating. There was a gentleman at a table with a tin marked “donations”. I asked him how this chili feed works and where do the donations go. Joe (his name) replied it’s to help cover the costs of the chili and it’s purely voluntary. The Grange – which is a community organization – hosts the chili feed as a way to serve the community and it’s the perfect snack to fill your belly with before going out into the cold for the parade.
I talked with Joe a little more, asking about Coburg, the history and the growth. He’s lived there over 50 years. At times possibly the unofficial mayor as he does a lot of community work through the Grange. I learned that Grange refers to a structure that farmers and families would gather together for friendship and mutual assistance. These days, it’s like a club, you apply and pay your dues and help out in the operations of activities. I’ve noticed that there are granges in many towns in Oregon.
The tree lighting was ceremonial as the lights were already turned on. We decided to sit on the porch of a building which had a wine bar and a bistro. Apparently people in the know, made reservations for the best seats with warmers and artificial fire pits. They sat with bottles of wine starting around 6pm. We bought a glass of local wine and a glass of locally brewed beer and found seats. As the minutes ticked away, more and more people came along Main Street. Many brought foldable chairs and blankets to stay warm. My husband and I looked at each other in awe of the preparations these people made for this parade. We hummed Christmas songs to while away the hour. There was some police action going on and so we were treated to a “light show”. As the clock drew closer to 7pm, I would call the number of people waiting for the parade to be at least 500, if not 1000. A family of 6 (parents, 3 children and 2 grandmother) came from Eugene, a town 8 or 9 miles south of Coburg. A bigger college town.
Christmas in Coburg has been going on for 25 years according to Joe. The family of 6 sitting near us told us they have been coming for many years. They were even there the one year it rained heavily. The parade went on.
Then you could hear the murmurs turn to cheers as the first lighted vehicle started coming down Main Street. The firefighters rode in a vintage fire truck, handing out glow sticks. Santa and Mrs Claus waved to the crowds, as their helpers randomly threw stuffed toys at lucky people who caught them. No fights broke out.
It was a short parade, maybe 8 minutes and about 10 vehicles. The crowd clearly were delighted. I was thinking George Bailey from Its a Wonderful Life might be walking down any minute. It was an utterly wholesome experience.
I was a little disturbed by a young couple with their toddler. He was doing not much other than sipping his adult beverage. His hair, a little too neat. She was picking up the toddler trying to show she was a loving mother because there was another couple. Her make up unsmeared. The toddler was doing the toddlers thing – struggling to get out of the clutches of the stifling hold and lurched every which way he could. Finally she gave up, latched the toddler into the stroller from which she dragged him out of earlier. She then put a phone in the toddler’s tiny hands and the glow took over the toddler’s gaze. Mesmerized, the toddler sunk into the stroller, docile, mute, eyes focused on the device. The adults sipped their adult beverages. They struck up conversation with another couple with a slightly older child and then bragged about how their toddler was quiet on a recent 4 hour flight thanks to their iPad. This use of a mobile device on small susceptible infants…I’m not sure how well that bodes of them as humans as they grow.
I remember my first flight with my toddler from San Francisco to Singapore via Tokyo. There were no direct flights back then. I consulted with other parents…how will I entertain my child for 18 hours in a confined space. The creativity of the suggestions I received were amazing. I brought crayons, scratch paper, pipe cleaners (it’s an arts and crafts thing) and a brand new toy hidden from the child and revealed only on the flight so as to get some of that “new toy” time. It doesn’t have to be an expensive new toy. It could even be something from the bottom of the toy bin the child has forgotten about. Our child slept some and we read some, played some, walked up and down the aisle some…talked to other passengers…and we got through 18 hours with no battery operated device.
This blog is mostly about Coburg and it’s fabulous family fun holiday events. The side bar on the modern parental pacifiers to subdue their children is simply observation on my part and maybe a little wistful I didn’t have an iPad oh those many years ago…or maybe a little smug that I survived many a trans Pacific flight with sheer old fashioned distractions.
I found information on activities on the town website https://www.coburgoregon.org/. They also have a Walking tour historic houses you can follow along and check out the houses. Pictures of some houses are on HakkaHiker
Take care of your one and only heart. Spend time with your loved ones, walk 30 minutes a day with them and find a local adventure.
HakkaHiker 