The holiday season is officially underway in the Nisqually Valley region, as the City of Yelm hosted its annual Christmas tree lighting-ceremony on Monday, Dec. 1, at Yelm City Park in the evening hours.
In addition to the Christmas tree-lighting ceremony, Wayne McCarten, a local business owner and longtime Yelm resident, was named 2025’s Master of Merriment. McCarten is known well throughout the Yelm community for his leadership and volunteerism — serving on the board of directors for Yelm Chamber of Commerce and the ACU Foundation. Additionally, he serves as Uptown Lounge’s general manager and spends countless volunteer hours at the Yelm Senior Center.
“It’s an honor. I grew up out here, and it took me by surprise. I felt like it was probably a good time to do it. I’m glad that my mom is here to see it,” McCarten told the Nisqually Valley News on Monday, Dec. 1. “You get the days of Christmas where it’s time to relax with family and enjoy the holiday, talk about Christmases of the past and just catch up. That’s always the best part.
“It’s special,” he continued. “It’s been nice to watch the city develop the way that it has. I think it’s coming along nicely, and there’s a good plan to continue that. As much as there can be growing pains, it’s much better than what it could be. Things are looking up and things are looking better.”
Line Roy, the City of Yelm’s communications and recreation coordinator, said she’s been counting down the days for the annual Christmas kickoff event with the tree-lighting ceremony. She believes the annual event is one of the most fun, heartwarming activities that residents can attend throughout the year.
“It’s a fun-filled event. We’re going to be lighting up the whole park, the stage, the water tower — it’s a great way to get the community together to kick off the holidays,” Roy said on Monday, Dec. 1. “Christmas is my favorite time of the year. I think the magic is multiplied when I get to share it with not just my family, but also my Yelm family — all 11,000 of them.”
