In December 2025, holiday cheer spread like wildfire among the 400 residents of Oakesdale, Washington. News of Oakesdale’s first-ever Winterfest, fully organized by the town’s Community Heart & Soul core team, drew young and old from their warm homes on a chilly winter night. Over 200 community members, along with their out-of-town visitors, gathered in the heart of Oakesdale for a long lineup of festivities, from a parade to Christmas caroling. The evening left them with hearts full of excitement, both for the holiday season and the future of their community.

Of all the events Heart & Soul planned, the town tree lighting garnered the most community support by far—and from more than just spectators. Local men readily lent a hand to help bring a fresh-cut tree downtown. After cutting, transporting, and setting up the tree, Oakesdale’s Heart & Soul coordinator Conny Crow shared, “I was thrilled to hear the men excitedly talking amongst themselves about what they will do differently next year and admiring their handiwork.”

Event organizers and volunteers poured an abundance of community pride into the evening’s execution. Attendees responded gratefully, hoping that Winterfest would become an annual tradition. “The guys are already planning entries for the parade next year. Old cars, tractors, and motorcycles. We can’t wait!” said one community member.

Throughout its first year, Oakesdale’s participation in Innovia’s Community Heart & Soul program allowed for a notable increase in community events. New opportunities to gather and celebrate with neighbors have revealed residents’ genuine desire to connect and build relationships. Winterfest serves as yet another example of the togetherness Heart & Soul makes possible, and the vibrant future it’s creating in small towns. “It was the perfect night,” one parent shared. “Thank you, Community Heart & Soul, for making Oakesdale an even better place to raise our kids.”